Definition of ‘Love the Country, Love HK’ very clear, says Wang
A person who loves the country and loves Hong Kong should fully support the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, Wang Guangya, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Thursday, adding that what was meant by “not opposing the central government” had been clearly defined.
Wang made the comments after meeting the two leaders of Hong Kong and Macao SARs in Beijing. He said people could judge what actions or remarks were in line with the principle of “Love the Country, Love Hong Kong”.
“Supporting the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, and supporting (whatever is inductive to) the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, for instance, are surely behaviors of ‘Love the Country, Love Hong Kong’,” he said, explaining the prerequisite for candidates who run in future Chief Executive (CE) elections.
Wang added that the criterion of “not opposing the central government” had also been defined clearly by Qiao Xiaoyang, chairman of the Law Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), in a speech in March.
Qiao had told the city’s political elites in a meeting that the CE must not attempt to overthrow the leadership of the Communist Party of China or change the mainland’s socialist system, or he would be considered challenging the national constitution.
Regarding the “civil nomination” model promoted by the opposition camp, Wang explained that the Nominating Committee is a statutory body which makes all nominations. The petition model, therefore, “certainly deviated a bit far away” from the Basic Law, he added.
Wang said the public could raise all sorts of views during the consultation process. But he said the central government had stressed that any elections in Hong Kong must follow Basic Law provisions and relevant decisions by the NPC Standing Committee.
He also advised Hong Kong people to listen to each other, respect different viewpoints and think rationally about political reform. “If we are pragmatic, and aren’t swayed by the thoughts we are embracing, then we shall respect each other in order to reach a consensus,” Wang said.
He refused to comment on CE Leung Chun- ying’s approval rating, but said polls were not the most important indicator of performance. This was because they were often prone to sampling errors. What mattered most was whether policies were in line with public expectations and circumstances in Hong Kong, explained Wang.
“The primary factor is whether he is dedicated to his governance and whether he serves the place well and wholeheartedly for the interests of Hong Kong,” he said.
Leung’s work has been praised by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in earlier meetings this week.
A senior official on the SAR affairs confirmed that leaders of Hong Kong and Macao, from next December, would offer comprehensive reviews of their work and plans. He said progress in implementing the Basic Law would be emphasized.
“It is because the Basic Laws are the most fundamental legal documents that bind the two special administrative regions. (They should explain) the progress and problems in implementation of the Basic Laws over the past year,” he said.
Leung on Thursday also had meetings with heads of the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission.