The voting for the election of the seventh Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ended smoothly at about 23:00 on the 19th. This is the first Legislative Council election held in the HKSAR after the improvement of the electoral system. Voting began at 8:30 on the same day and was originally planned to end at 22:30. The voting end time of several polling stations was slightly delayed due to technical reasons. On the same day, all polling stations operated orderly, safe and stable. Voters took epidemic prevention measures to maintain an appropriate social distance, and the voting activities proceeded smoothly. On that day, about 630 general polling stations and no more than 24 special polling stations were opened for 4.47 million registered voters to vote. In addition, the registration and Electoral Office has also set up polling stations at three Hong Kong ports, namely, the Heung Yuen Wai control point (Liantang control point), the Lo Wu control point (Lo Wu control point) and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point (Futian control point), to give votes to Hong Kong voters in the mainland due to the closure of the epidemic. Liang Zhenying, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said after voting at the polling station of the Convention and exhibition center that this election is the first Legislative Council election after improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The significance of voter voting is not only to select talents and appoint talents, but also to say "no" to the previously stagnant Legislative Council and some members. He believed that the composition of the new Legislative Council was in line with the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong", was broadly representative and would contribute to the better development of Hong Kong. At about 9 o'clock, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mrs Carrie Lam, cast her ballot at the polling station of the high Bishop's College on Robinson road. After voting, Mrs Lam said that the Legislative Council election was of great significance. She hoped that the majority of voters would vote enthusiastically, fulfill their civic responsibilities and exercise their right to vote in time. More importantly, she would cast a vote of confidence for the improved SAR election system and the future of Hong Kong, so as to lay a foundation for the long-term stability of Hong Kong. The Chief Secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, Mr Eric Li, voted at the Yau Ma Tei Kai Fong Association School polling station. He said that the election will elect members who do practical things for Hong Kong, are in line with Hong Kong's interests, will not betray Hong Kong and are willing to be "foreign agents". He called on the public to vote actively to elect a Legislative Council that will serve the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and the overall interests of Hong Kong. After voting, the financial secretary of the SAR government, Chen maobo, and the Secretary for justice, Zheng ruohua, said that the background of the candidates in the Legislative Council election is very diverse, which is conducive to hearing more different voices in the future government's governance and better promoting good governance from the overall interests of Hong Kong. On the same day, Lin zhengyue'e, Li Jiachao, Zeng Guowei, Secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs of the Special Administrative Region government, Deng Bingqiang, Secretary for security of the Special Administrative Region government, Feng Hua, chairman of the election Management Committee of the Special Administrative Region, and others also inspected the polling stations and called on the public to vote enthusiastically. Although the temperature in Hong Kong turned significantly cooler that day, citizens lined up early in the morning outside many polling stations to vote. Many polling stations set up two queues: one is for the elderly, pregnant women and other people, and the other is for other voters. The director of the polling station also flexibly deployed the invoice counter to shorten the overall waiting time. After voting, many voters said that the voting process was fast and smooth. They hoped that the new Legislative Council would bid farewell to disputes, focus on people's livelihood, improve people's lives and open a better future for Hong Kong. The Legislative Council general election includes 40 members elected by the election committee, 30 members elected by functional groups and 20 members directly elected by districts. 153 candidates ran for 90 seats, with competition for each seat. More than 38000 staff are responsible for serving voters and counting votes at polling stations. The term of office of the seventh Legislative Council of the HKSAR will begin on January 1, 2022 for a four-year term. (Xinhua News Agency)