Call on patriots to run HK wins favor in the city

Political leaders in SAR back reforms in line with Xi’s message for stability

Patriotism should be a must for those serving in the government, the city’s legislature and local district councils.

DAVID WONG YAU-KAR

Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress

Hong Kong political leaders called for reforms to thoroughly implement the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”.

The principle, which the central government has always required of special administrative regions, was highlighted by President Xi Jinping on Jan 27 while hearing work reports from Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Macao leader Ho Iat-seng.

The work reports, usually presented in-person by the SAR leaders at the end of each year, were delivered via video conference.

During the video call, Xi said that Hong Kong can maintain its longterm stability and security only by ensuring the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”.

Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said Hong Kong has restored peace and order since the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong on June 30.

Tung said that this is a good case in point to prove that only by sticking to the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong” and leaving no room for anti-China troublemakers can Hong Kong ensure lasting stability and prosperity, and the steady and sustained implementation of “one country, two systems”.

Tam Yiu-chung, a Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said that if Hong Kong were to be governed by those who do not love the country and the city, it would be difficult for the central government to exercise its overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong SAR, and that would harm the implementation of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s social stability.

Agreeing on the importance of implementing the principle, Tam said the SAR government has shown determination by requiring civil servants and district councilors to swear allegiance to the SAR.

The next step could be strengthening national education among young people so they can better understand the country’s development, Tam added.

Former police commissioner Tang King-shing suggested the government look into the whole question of governance in order to seek reform and improvements.

It is important to ensure that patriots are selected to engage in every process of Hong Kong’s governance, so that the principle can be fully implemented, he said. This not only includes elections and swearing allegiance, but also the making and execution of laws and policies, as well as issues related to statutory and advisory bodies.

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, agreed.

The political scientist said that the SAR government should reform the electoral system to give full play to the principle so that patriots can take the lead in Hong Kong’s governance. In that way, Hong Kong’s lasting stability could be ensured.

Lau acknowledged Lam’s achievements in upholding national interests over the past year, including requesting that public servants swear allegiance, combating separatist activities on university campuses, disqualifying some opposition figures from running for election, and resisting foreign intervention.

David Wong Yau-kar, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, noted that a year of social unrest that haunted the city beginning in June 2019 underscored the importance of patriots governing the city.

Patriotism should be a must for those serving in the government, the city’s legislature and local district councils, he said.

Wong added that Xi’s remarks and the central government’s full support are a shot in the arm for the city, which is still caught up in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

He said he is confident that the city will eventually control the pandemic with the central government’s support.

Tam also expressed hope that the SAR government will live up to Xi’s expectations in terms of combating the COVID-19 pandemic, reviving the hard-hit economy, and restoring people’s quality of life.