Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung has rejected criticism of Beijing's overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system, saying the changes will improve political participation and make the SAR more democratic.

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Writing on his blog on Sunday, the city's number two official said the fact that both Legco and the election committee would increase in size shows Beijing's determination and sincerity in expanding the scope of democratic elections here.

Cheung claimed the reforms could ensure that all sectors of society are fully represented in the governing structure, and that there would be balanced participation in politics in a broadly representative system.

While critics have called the overhaul a regression in Hong Kong’s democratic development, the minister argued that’s simply not the case.

He stressed the changes would instead “enhance the quality of democracy here" and improve Hong Kong's governing efficiency.

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