In this Sept 20, 2020 photo, Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, addresses the 12th Straits Forum held in the port city of Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian province via video link. (LI TAO / XINHUA)

Wang Yang, chairman of the nation’s top political advisory body, on Thursday called on members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to firmly back a full implementation of the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle and enhance patriotism education among youth in Hong Kong and Macao. 

The principle is also high on the agenda of Hong Kong deputies, who are poised to submit relevant proposals in this year’s two sessions, the nation’s most important political event

Wang made the remarks when delivering a work report at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

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Wang stressed that the central government will firmly support the full implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong".

He said during the past year, the CPPCC National Committee has emphasized the political responsibility of Hong Kong and Macao members and expressed support for the law-based governance of the HKSAR government.

In future work, he encouraged political advisers to deepen connections with Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, and actively research and discuss how to strengthen patriotism education among young people in the two special administrative regions.

Following Wang’s remarks, Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said “patriots governing Hong Kong” has become the most pivotal principle of handling Hong Kong affairs. 

Taking note of foreign forces’ repeated interference in Hong Kong affairs, Lau called on political advisers to actively speak out against unjustified criticism on the international stage, and firmly safeguard the nation’s interests.

The principle is also high on the agenda of Hong Kong deputies, who are poised to submit relevant proposals in this year’s two sessions, the nation’s most important political event.  

Connie Wong Wai-ching, deputy director of the Committee for Handling Proposals of the CPPCC National Committee, agreed the loopholes must be closed in Hong Kong’s electoral system. 

Wong noted that the so-called primaries held by the opposition camp last July present a good case in point which shows that improving the city’s electoral system is imperative. 

Primary elections aren’t held under Hong Kong’s electoral system, hence it is illegal to hold a referendum under the name of so-called primaries, she said. 

The fact that anti-China forces and other troublemakers succeeded in winning elections and taking up public office proved the need to plug the existing loopholes in the system, she stressed.  

She said that a fair and just electoral system to ensure “patriots governing Hong Kong” would safeguard the overall interests of the special administrative region and the sovereignty, security, and development interests of the country.

Wong Ting-chung, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress, said it is necessary to strengthen oversight of the allegiance of Hong Kong public officials to the country. He suggested vetting the backgrounds of candidates in various elections, requiring those elected to take oaths before taking office, and monitoring their performance after assuming their duties.

To ensure the rule of “patriots governing Hong Kong”, candidates should declare that they possess neither foreign passports nor the British National (Overseas) passport. Otherwise, they should be denied eligibility to run for the elections and even lose right to vote, said Wong, who is also chairman of the Hong Kong Industrial and Commercial Association.

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NPC deputy Cally Kwong Mei-wan held that the principle of patriots governing Hong Kong” should also be emphasized in youth education.

She noted that the radical behavior that occurred in a string of political movements in recent years is definitely against patriotism.

She stressed the importance of cultivating the patriotism of educators and strengthening the students’ recognition of the nation. She also suggested integrating national education into the study of other subjects and campus activities.