Business magnate Allan Zeman said by putting in place institutional safeguards for patriotism in Hong Kong's political system, Hong Kong will usher in "a new beginning", as it closes the holes in "one country, two systems".

"Patriotism will help unblock the roadblocks that we've faced all these years," Zeman said.

Zeman made his remarks one day after the National People's Congress – China's top legislature - on Thursday approved a decision to improve the city's electoral system. The move is seen as a crucial step to guarantee the governing power of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is firmly in the hands of patriots.

The decision will improve the current electoral system and also authorizes the NPC Standing Committee to amend Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law, which clarify the method of the selection of the chief executive and the formation of the Legislative Council.

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One of the reasons behind the phenomenon – everything is being politicized in Hong Kong – is that a number of Hong Kong people lacked national identity and national pride after the city was handed over to China from British rule, according to Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group

In a one-on-one interview with China Daily, Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, said the global financial hub was stuck in recent years due to endless filibustering at the Legislative Council and the political melodramas.

"The government had their hands tied and they cannot move…Every bill or law that was supposed to be passed or in order to help Hong Kong people and help the city move forward, was blocked," Zeman said.

Patriotism to clear confusion on identity

One of the reasons behind the phenomenon – everything is being politicized in Hong Kong – is that a number of Hong Kong people lacked national identity and national pride after the city was handed over to China from British rule, according to Zeman.

"One country, two systems", an invention of the late leader Deng Xiaoping, has no example to follow, he said, adding that Hong Kong is the example. But after the return of Hong Kong, there was no national education in Hong Kong and it led to a vacuum in people's identity, he said.

Given that, people's thoughts were easily influenced by voices from foreign countries and the city was open to foreign interference, Zeman, who has been living in Hong Kong for almost five decades, pointed out.

"You're open to letting other countries influence you, because you don't know who you are. That was a big problem." He said.

He added this is the reason why some Hong Kong opposition politicians are keen on going overseas and seeking so-called "help" from foreign governments and why there were so many confused protesters carrying British and American flags during the city's social unrest in 2019.

All of these demonstrate it's necessary to stress the importance of patriotism in the city and give the city's electoral system an overhaul to ensure patriots are elected to govern the city, Zeman said.

READ MORE: Zeman: Masterminds want to bring Hong Kong to its knees

The Canada-born businessman said it's quite common and natural to require people to respect and love their own country.

He recalled that when he was about five or six years old in Canada, he used to salute the national flag and sing God Save the Queen – a royal anthem in a number of Commonwealth realms – at school almost every morning.

Moreover, Zeman said it's normal, both in western and eastern countries, to require people who run for public office to be loyal to their country.

"On the first day when the American Senate starts or the House Representatives starts, everyone pledges allegiance to the flag and everyone pledges allegiance to the country," he said.

"Canada. Similar. Every elected official has to pledge allegiance. This is nothing new. (In the) UK every lord, everyone that sits in the House of Commons, has to pledge allegiance," he added.

This undated photo shows Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Agree to disagree

Zeman, himself sits on the government's Economic Development Commission chaired by city Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Zeman disagreed that there will be no opposition voice in the city after the changes are made to the city's electoral system.

"Not necessarily just because you're a patriot, if the government did something wrong, you cannot point it out," he said.

With an improved electoral system in place, Zemnan said Hong Kong government will be able to speed up solving those deep-seated, acute problems, such as the housing issue and land shortage

"We don't always agree with everything. Even though I agree with it, I might think I have a better way. I'll voice my opinion. Same with other members sometimes," he said.

READ MORE: HKMAO official: HK electoral reform a 'milestone'

He thinks the point is people can have an opposition voice, but don't have craziness, like jumping up on tables and fighting.

Back to thorny issues

In fact, with an improved electoral system in place, he said Hong Kong government will be able to speed up solving those deep-seated, acute problems, such as the housing issue and land shortage.

Among the good cases in point were many that employed out-of-the-box thinking to address issues, such as thorny social problems and those related to people's livelihoods issues, such as the mega land reclamation program near Lantau Island to boost housing proposed earlier by the government.

In 2019, Hong Kong was ranked as the world's most unaffordable housing market for a 10th straight year, according to an annual survey by urban planning policy consultancy Demographia.

According to the Hong Kong's Housing Authority, an applicant who applies for public rental housing on average needs to wait almost six years before he or she can move into a unit.

If the government and society can put more effort into looking at different solutions, more houses will be built more quickly and the lives of people who are suffering will be changed earlier, Zeman said.

READ MORE: Zeman: NPCSC's resolution the 'right medicine' for HK

Look to the East

Looking forward, Zeman has confidence in the city's future and in China's development. In his eyes, the name Hong Kong is a strong brand in the world and will be stronger if it continues to integrate into the overall development of the nation.

Zeman gave up his Canadian nationality for Chinese in 2008. He explained he did it as he trusted and saw the future of the world is in the East.

He cited China's economic growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic. China's pre-pandemic economy is bouncing back hard, and it notched 6.5 percent growth in the final three months of 2020, while many countries posted negative growth.

READ MORE: Business magnate sees bright future for region

Given that, Zeman suggested expatriates in Hong Kong stick with the place, unless they need to leave for family reasons.

He also encouraged ambitious foreigners and overseas investors who want to be successful in their careers to seek opportunities in China, as "that's the growth story".