Hong Kong political leaders on Wednesday called for a thorough implementation of the principle that Hong Kong must be governed by patriots. 

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

President Xi Jinping said that Hong Kong can maintain its long-term stability and security only by ensuring the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”

The work reports, usually presented in person annually by the SARs’ leaders at the end of the year, were delivered through a video conference call. During the video call, Xi said that Hong Kong can maintain its long-term stability and security only by ensuring the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”. 

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

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

The next step could be strengthening national education to encourage more young people to embrace the country’s development, Tam said. 

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, suggested that apart from collaborating with patriots when governing Hong Kong, 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, the political scientist said. 

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

David Wong Yau-kar, Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress, noted that a year of social unrest that haunted the city beginning in June 2019 underscored the importance of having only patriots govern the city. 

Thanks to the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, the city regained its peace and order, Wong said. 

All of these are a testament to the principle that patriotism should be a must for those serving in the government, the city’s legislature and local district councils, he said. 

The Hong Kong SAR government’s performance last year also won the approval of the leaders, who all noted it also won full acknowledgment from the central government. 

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

Wong said he believes the central government will provide enough resources, including vaccines, to Hong Kong to help the city fight the virus if the city needs such resources, adding he’s confident that the city will finally control the pandemic with the central government’s support. 

Tam 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. He said the central government’s commitment to give full support to Hong Kong’s anti-pandemic fight is “inspiring”, adding: “We must win the battle to live up to the care.” 

Lau warned that if the pandemic continues to rage on in the city, it could lead to social instability or even cripple Hong Kong’s integration into the nation’s development. 

Contact the writers at bingcun@chinadailyhk.com