Hong Kong must be in the hands of patriots
Practice of “One Country, Two Systems” in Chinese territory has achieved success
ON March 4, the preliminary meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) decided to deliberate a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and authorised the NPC Standing Committee to revise and improve the electoral system of the HKSAR. This is a major event in the political life of the people in HKSAR, as well as a crucial step for the steady and sustained implementation of “One country, Two systems”.
During the 150 years of the British colonial rule, there was no democracy in Hong Kong and its people did not even have the right to march on the streets. It was only after returning to the motherland that Hong Kong had really started democratic development.
In accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law and in light of Hong Kong’s realities, the Chinese central government has steadily promoted the development of Hong Kong’s democratic political system and ensured that Hong Kong residents enjoy unprecedented democratic rights and freedoms in accordance with the law.
However, in recent years, the electoral system of the HKSAR has shown some defects. With the support of some external forces, the anti-China rioters and “Hong Kong independence” elements have been trying to capitalise on these defects to challenge the constitutional order of the HKSAR and jeopardise the national sovereignty and security.
In view of this, the Chinese central government believes it is necessary to revise and improve the electoral system of the HKSAR, and let patriots govern Hong Kong, so as to ensure the full and faithful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems”.
Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs, which brook no external interference. The relevant decision has been echoed and supported by people from all walks of life in HKSAR.
It falls within the responsibility of the central government to revise and improve the electoral system of the HKSAR in accordance with China’s Constitution and the Basic Law. As China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress exercises constitutional power at the state level. It has made one interpretation of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and four decisions on relevant issues.
The revision and improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR is to exercise the power and fulfil the responsibility of the central government within the framework of the Constitution and the Basic Law.
The ultimate purpose of implementing the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong” is to ensure the sound and smooth development of Hong Kong’s democratic system. “Patriots governing Hong Kong” is the essence of “one country, two systems”. Since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” has achieved universally recognised success.
Meanwhile, it has also encountered many new problems and challenges. To ensure the faithful and steady implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in the right direction without disruptions or distortions, one important prerequisite is that those governing Hong Kong must fully and faithfully understand and implement the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”.
As the Chinese central government does not directly designate people to participate in the daily management of the HKSAR government, who are governing the HKSAR becomes even more important for the full and faithful implementation of “one country, two systems”.
It is fair to say that upholding the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong” is a major issue of principle that bears on the success or failure of “One Country, Two Systems”.
No compromise can be made on it.
As a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, it is a basic political ethic that the jurisdiction of Hong Kong must be in the hands of patriots.
Is there any country in the world that would give the jurisdiction of any part of its territory to people who, from the bottom of their hearts, do not recognise or have no loyalty to the country and the people, and are willing to serve as political agents for external forces?
Or is there any country in the world that would give the jurisdiction of any part of its territory to the hands of those who advocate or engage in separatist activities to undermine the fundamental interests of the country?
Over the past 20 years and more since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, facts have proved that a small number of anti-China rioters in Hong Kong will only bring destruction, turbulence and terror to Hong Kong.
Only patriots can truly strive for the well-being of Hong Kong people, bring prosperity and stability to Hong Kong, and promote the common development of Hong Kong and the motherland.
It is also a common practice for the world to impose strict requirements on the patriotic stance and relevant political qualifications of its governors.
In the US, for example, there are strict requirements for political loyalty not only for officials but also for ordinary citizens. Only those who meet the standard of political loyalty could be admitted to public office.
People running for public office in almost all countries and regions need to show their patriotism in various ways. They even try their best to prove that they are more patriotic than others.
It is only in Hong Kong that some people use their betrayal of their motherland as a political “asset” to show off, and even use their opposition to the central government and demonisation of their own nation as election slogans.
Those people have completely lost even the most basic political ethics and the love of the country, thus becoming a laughing stock disdained by all.
Therefore, upholding the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong” is not a stringent standard but the bare minimum for implementing the principle of “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong”. Such a requirement is not unique to Hong Kong, but is a universal rule.
Since the return of Hong Kong, the central government has been unswervingly promoting development of Hong Kong’s democratic system in a gradual and orderly manner in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the NPC Standing Committee, so as to ensure the Hong Kong residents enjoy democratic rights to the greatest extent.
All the efforts we have made, be it the formulation and implementation of the National Security Law or the improvement of the electoral system, aim to uphold and improve the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” so that it could enjoy steady and sustained development in the right direction.
The vast majority of Hong Kong people have long had the tradition of loving the motherland and Hong Kong.
The range of “patriots” has been and will always be extensive. We believe that with the support and concerted efforts of the patriots, Hong Kong will have an even brighter future.
ONE of the latest TikTok breakfast crazes might seem like an unlikely trend at first, but baked oatmeal is having its moment.
There’s no denying that oatmeal serves as a top-tier breakfast food. You can incorporate it into your breakfast smoothies, eat it with fruit, or grab a granola bar with oatmeal as a snack or breakfast bar.
It’s the true epitome of a versatile dish. So, it comes as no surprise that this food is at the centre of TikTok’s latest trend.
The popular TikTok take on baked oatmeal is slightly different from baked oatmeal recipes you might have tried in the past.
The recipe videos suggest that the results come closer to a fluffy muffinlike texture than your average baked oatmeal square.
The trend requires bakers to combine oats (regular or blended to make oat flour), mashed banana, milk and your choice of toppings.
The hashtag #BakedOats has over 300 million views on the app, where foodies have shared their creations topped with everything from peanut butter chocolate to strawberry cheesecake.
You can follow one of the recipes on the video-sharing app or make up your own adaptation with the toppings you have in your kitchen.
And if you have written off oatmeal thinking that it is always soft or dull, you now have a way to transform it into a tasty breakfast cake.
Below is one of the most popular recipes that you can try.
Brownie baked oats INGREDIENTS
1 banana, mashed Half a cup of rolled oats Half a cup of almond milk 1 tbs cacao powder
¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp of maple syrup Strawberries to serve Piece of chocolate to serve
METHOD
Get a small dish from your kitchen cupboard and mash a full banana in it. Add half a cup of rolled oats, half a cup of almond milk, and one tablespoon of cacao powder to the bowl.
Add a quarter of a teaspoon of baking powder and half a teaspoon of vanilla essence to the mix.
Finish with one teaspoon of maple syrup and stir everything together inside the bowl.
Bake the dish in the oven at 180°C for 28-30 minutes.
Serve hot topped with strawberries and a piece of chocolate.
KUMBA Iron Ore has issued retrenchment notices that could affect 1 600 employees, despite bumper profits in the year to the end of December, trade union Solidarity said on Friday.
Solidarity’s deputy general secretary for mining, agriculture and chemical industry, Riaan Visser, said the process could result in 653 job losses.
Visser said Kumba’s reasons for the retrenchments had no grounds given the company’s strong financial performance in 2020.
“It is unfair and simply insensitive of Kumba to punish workers amid a pandemic and an excellent financial performance with increased turnover, profits and dividend declared,” Visser said.
Last month, Kumba, a subsidiary of Anglo American, delivered record earnings and dividends during the 12 months to the end of December on the back of 19 percent higher iron ore prices to $115 (about R1 765) a ton.
On Friday, Kumba, which owns the Sishen and Kolomela mines in the Northern Cape, confirmed that the company had initiated a targeted consultation process with the employees who might be affected.
Spokesperson Sinah Phochana said the numbers would be confirmed after the consultation process.
Phochana said the group had been on a business transformation journey in recent years, and had been implementing its strategy to enhance margins, extend the life of mines, manage costs, reduce the breakeven price and ensure sustainability.
“Our transformation journey includes deploying breakthrough technologies and new ways of working to become safer, cleaner, more productive and more competitive on the global stage, while driving demand for our quality ore.
“It also includes a targeted organisational restructure to ensure that the right work is done at the right time, in the right way by capable people in roles that are designed with clear accountabilities and authorities,” Phochana said.
In the year to the end of December, Kumba delivered R20.7 billion of free cash flow, which supported the board’s decision to declare a final cash dividend of R41.30 a share.
Combined with the interim cash dividend of R19.60 a share, the total cash dividend for the year increased by 30 percent to R60.90 a share, representing a payout ratio of 86 percent of headline earnings.
Visser said employees had worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, their families had already been affected by retrenchments, and they were struggling to put food on the
table.
“We understand that there are industries that are suffering terribly at the moment. However, it makes it that much worse when a mining giant such
as Kumba wants to retrench employees after an excellent financial year.
With unemployment currently at the highest level in South Africa’s history, a business cannot justify such
actions in any way. We will not tolerate it,” Visser said.
The mining company’s shares closed 8.24 percent higher at R678.65 on Friday.
I WRITE to you today as you are probably sitting with the likes of Henry Nxumalo, Can Themba, Percy Qoboza, Sophie Tema and other doyennes of black excellence in the netherworld of the living dead.
Last week I resisted an unbearable temptation to get bogged down in what has become a necessary uproar over eNCA journalist Lindsay Dentlinger.
It would have been easier to focus on Dentlinger’s treatment of some of the country’s elected officials (underline elected).
It would have been much quicker to pen something about the arrogance in her explanation to being “perceived as white”, something that betrayed her deeply ingrained attitude towards people who are not “perceived to be white”.
I would have taken such delight in tearing through her wanting to be seen as much a victim as the people she disgraced by asking them to wear masks.
And come to think of it, some have bought into her claim of being a victim. But why should I bother myself about her and her ilk when there are meaningful people like you in this country.
People who spent a huge part of their time trying to change what the likes of Dentlinger refused to see.
You may have been Dentlinger’s colleague, but your differences couldn’t be more stark.
You epitomised the very best and worst in us: a combative and an unapologetic social activist – the traits of a true journalist. Journalism is in itself a very social call.
To want to become a voice for the voiceless means taking a stance.
To want to speak truth to power means identifying a void in what is being sold to the rest.
It means siding with those that have no access to privilege and making sure that their views matter in the broader school of thoughts.
That they live beyond the attention they only receive during the elections.
But with people like you it was always easy to remind the powerful that there are serious issues that affect our national psyche beyond elections.
To some you were controversial. But what journalist isn’t?
I first met you at one epic conference of the Congress of the South African Students (Cosas) in the 1980s, when we wanted the student movement to reaffirm its commitment to the liberation of the country from
apartheid.
We were both starry-eyed idealists who only had a blurred vision of what we wanted.
You attended the meeting with the likes of Nazeem Dramat, Thoraya Pandy and others from the Western Cape.
We, on the other hand, had come from what was then called the southern Transvaal region.
It was the first time I realised how passionate you could be in your convictions.
We were described as being militant – a term that could be very costly as the security branch at the time saw anyone like that as a threat to internal security.
Yet in all our discussions, you remained resolutely passionate, yet not overbearing.
Just clear on what you wanted. For days our delegations differed on
certain positions, but came out of the conference with ultimate respect for each other and friendships that would last for decades.
I remember how I felt at a reunion of old pals when Cobus Bester recruited me to the economics desk of the fledgling national broadcaster in 1995.
You were already causing stirs at an SABC that was trying to find its meaning in a post-apartheid country.
Your distinct voice could be heard outside the PM-Live studio.
It was a new era and we were all trying to find our meaning at a broadcaster that had only been a propaganda tool for our former masters.
The SABC at the time was characterised by different accents, races, voices and even religions, raising the very fears and hostilities that have prompted the furore over Dentlinger.
Naturally, being new and largely out-gunned by the status quo, we resorted to what we knew best – activism.
We formed a black caucus to address what we felt was unequal treatment between black and white journalists in the newsroom.
You joined in to confront the then chief executive and now the late Zwelakhe Sisulu without batting an eye. The passion in your conviction was still as ablaze as it was before.
That was long before charlatans like Hlaudi Motsoeneng hijacked what would have been a beautiful project of re-engineering the public broadcaster to be exactly what it should be.
Our paths would later cross when I joined Business Report.
By then you had assumed the reins of the group executive editor.
Again you ruffled feathers, but still remained firm in your beliefs.
Your fearlessness was demonstrated again when you stood firm as the red berets tried to intimidate you for calling them out.
You could have easily taken the route of buckling under the pressure but you chose to be stoic and dignified in your response.
But why am I reminiscing over your death like a sentimental old fool?
Because journalism without you will never be the same.
Because in you, the country has lost an activist par excellence.
As your brother, Zain Semaar, said, your family has lost a mother, a sister, an aunt and a friend.
But most importantly, because power will now have space to plot more deceit against the people.
Last year, the SABC reported a R511 million net loss for the 2019/20 financial year.
Only beautiful brains like yours could have helped in arresting the continuing slide of this once proud national asset.
But as we continue to mourn your untimely passing, you have left us something to look up to.
In isiZulu we say uyibekile induku ebandla!