Allegiance to nation required: Official
Upholding the Constitution and pledging allegiance to the country are “the most fundamental requirements” for the National People’s Congress (NPC) delegates, a senior NPC official said on Thursday.
“Can we imagine parliamentary members or civil servants in any country not upholding the constitution of their country, or not bearing allegiance to their country?” said Zhang Rongshun, vice-chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee.
His remarks came after draft methods for electing NPC deputies from Hong Kong and Macao were announced at an NPC plenary session on Wednesday.
The draft methods require candidates from Hong Kong and Macao standing for election to the NPC to show allegiance to the nation. They must not receive overseas funds for election-related matters.
Zhang noted the practice that NPC candidates declare in the Participant’s Registration Form that they uphold the Constitution and bear allegiance to the nation has long been required. Now it has been clearly included in drafted bills.
He added that if it could be proved that any candidate or elected delegate had breached such requirements, they will be stripped of their qualifications.
Hong Kong has 36 NPC delegates. All are members of the 1,194-strong Election Committee which is responsible for electing the new Chief Executive.
NPC deputy and former Legislative Council member Ip Kwok-him said the new requirements for NPC deputies to show allegiance to the nation were in line with Hong Kong standards for its lawmakers.
The move is natural and not a harsh requirement for candidates standing in NPC elections, he added.
He also said it was justified for those who want to run a post in the top body of State power not to receive foreign funds.
NPC delegate Yeung Yiuchung said such requirements made sense: “Shouldn’t a member of China’s top lawmaking body pledge loyalty to the country?”
Yeung also said it was obvious that an NPC candidate can’t get foreign donations. “For instance, just like China cannot fund US politicians in elections, the other way around is also not acceptable,” Yeung said.