Nothing ‘controversial’ about electoral reform

Almost without exception, major Western media outlets called the Hong Kong electoral reform package adopted by China’s top legislature on Tuesday controversial when they reported the news. Which is no surprise.

Mainstream Western media also described the national security law as being controversial when it was promulgated in Hong Kong last summer. Indeed, anything China has done in the past few years has automatically been controversial in the narratives of Western media outlets and those politicians harboring bias toward, or championing a geopolitical strategy against, China.

There is nothing untoward about China’s move to ensure that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is administered by patriots, much less anything controversial. It is a common practice for states to demand loyalty of the holders of public office. Indeed, no functioning state allows its public offices to be occupied by anyone who is known to be disloyal or unpatriotic. The so-called Five Eyes countries being no exception.

In the United States, for instance, patriotism is a criterion for all public officials, which is ensured by the legal obligation that all public servants pledge their loyalty to the US Constitution and laws. The United Kingdom also demands loyalty of its public servants. The Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament, for example, stipulates that “members have a duty to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen, her heirs and successors”. The

Civil Service management code also stipulates that “civil servants are servants of the Crown and owe a duty of loyal service to the Crown as their employer”.

The new China-bashing campaign, led by the Five Eyes countries, tries to camouflage their crusade against China under the guise of democracy. But they cannot fool the world with their hypocrisy and double standard. No one except those who share their ideological bigotry or geopolitical strategy against China has jumped on their bandwagon.

The world has got used to the venom Western media outlets and politicians direct at China, as it has become their habit over the past several years since the latter was identified by the US as being a major strategic rival. Countries that harbor no ideological bias or do not share the Five Eyes alliance’s geopolitical strategy against China do not buy those China-bashing narratives. This is evident from the fact that 70 countries issued a joint statement at the recent 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, calling for non-interference in China’s internal affairs, including Hong Kong affairs.

The only thing that is controversial is the stance of the Five Eyes, which are willing to jeopardize the development of Hong Kong and the well-being of its residents for the sake of their narrow ends.

The overall improvement in the social situation in Hong Kong since the central authorities took action to end the chaos and restore stability has once again proved that it is the staunchest defender and upholder of democracy in Hong Kong.