On 1 April 2025, the Hong Kong government began releasing the annual reports of the 470 serving District Councillors. However, access was restricted: members of the public must visit District Offices in person to view the documents, and a new clause now prohibits photographing them. While photocopies are available for a fee, the added rule prevents citizens from freely and efficiently documenting the content. The Home Affairs Department justified the new measure as necessary to ensure the “accuracy and integrity” of the documents. Still, this lack of transparency drew public and political criticism. Legislative Councillor Tik Chi-yuen accused the government of “procedural obstruction”, calling for the reports to be made fully available online to promote openness and accountability. Critics argue that the move represents yet another attempt by the Hong Kong authorities to reduce public oversight over elected representatives, particularly following the overhaul of the District Council system in 2023, which already limited democratic participation.
