This undated file photo shows a panoramic view of the financial area in Hong Kong. (PHOTO /XINHUA)

A white paper on Hong Kong’s democracy has garnered a groundswell of support in Hong Kong, as political heavyweights and representatives from various sectors in the city on Tuesday called the document a guideline for Hong Kong’s democracy to thrive under the principle of “one country, two systems”.

Their remarks came after the State Council Information Office on Monday morning published the white paper, “Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”. The document was released after the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region successfully held its seventh Legislative Council election, the first under the revamped electoral system.

Annie Wu Suk-ching, a lifetime honorary board member of the World Trade Centers Association, said she fully welcomes the white paper’s release, adding that the white paper has detailed what Hong Kong should do to maintain “one country, two systems” properly.

Noting that Sunday’s LegCo election marks a turning point for the city’s democracy, Wu said the new electoral system will serve as a model among many other democracy forms for countries and regions elsewhere to learn from.

This file photo shows leading Hong Kong businesswoman Annie Wu Suk-ching at The Chinese Foundation Secondary School in Hong Kong on Aug 15, 2018. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

Annie Wu Suk-ching, a lifetime honorary board member of the World Trade Centers Association, said she fully welcomes the release of the white paper “Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems”, adding that it has detailed what Hong Kong should do to maintain “one country, two systems” properly

Echoing Wu, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of the Executive Council and reelected lawmaker, said Hong Kong will serve as a shining example of a new democratic system that is oriented toward serving the common good of the people, instead of sectorial or vested interests.

Ip said she agrees with the white paper for emphasizing the importance of upholding the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” in the city’s democratic process.

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It is a no-brainer that those who hold important positions in the SAR government should be people upholding the Basic Law and bearing allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR, she said.

Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, solicitor and lawmaker-elect for the import and export Functional Constituency, noted that the city’s culture does not include a love of the nation and a devotion to its overall interests.

Wong said with the establishment of the new electoral system and the release of the white paper, it is a good time to educate people, especially youngsters, about Hong Kong’s democratic process.

This photo taken on May 27, 2019 shows Kennedy Wong Ying-ho during an interview. (ROY LIU / CHINA DAILY)

Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, solicitor and lawmaker-elect for the import and export Functional Constituency, said with the establishment of the new electoral system and the release of the white paper, it is a good time to educate people, especially youngsters, about Hong Kong’s democratic process

As the public furthers their understanding of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, Hong Kong is sure to move forward more quickly, Wong said.

Also on Tuesday, officials from the central authorities and the SAR government slammed allegations made by several foreign countries against Sunday’s election.The European Union, the Group of Seven and the Five Eyes alliance — the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand — had expressed “grave concern” overthe election results in two respective joint statements on Monday.

The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR said in a statement that the election has shaped a rational election culture and formed a successful model for high-quality democracy. This is a vivid demonstration that the practice of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong has gotten back on track, the office said.

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A spokesperson of the HKSAR government also refuted the allegations, calling them a “deliberate” political attack with malicious intentions.

A spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the HKSAR said the election under the new electoral system has kicked off a new era of quality democracy in Hong Kong by embracing its original mission of selecting competent political patriots, and reflecting Hong Kong’s mainstream public opinion of seeking stability and development.

Contact the writers at shumanchen@chinadailyhk.com