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Hong Kong political reform
Opinion
Cui Tiankai
Opinion
Cui Tiankai

With patriots governing Hong Kong, ‘one country, two systems’ is guaranteed

  • Beijing’s decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system will ensure its stability and the healthy development of democracy

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Hongkongers display the flags of China and Hong Kong in support of patriots governing Hong Kong, at Tamar Park on March 6. Photo: Xinhua
Cui Tiankai
Cui Tiankai is China’s ambassador to the United States.
The 4th session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China held recently made a decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system. The purpose is to provide an institutional guarantee for the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”, and ultimately for the long-term implementation of “one country, two systems”. To gain an accurate understanding, let me share with you the following perspectives.

First and foremost, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a subnational jurisdiction of China, whose political system, including the electoral system, shall be decided by the central government. The NPC is China’s top legislature. Its decision to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system fully accords with China’s constitution and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, and holds indisputable legitimacy and authority. In unitary states, it is a common constitutional provision and political practice for the central government to decide how local elections are held, and there is nothing to find fault with.

Many concerns have been raised about “patriots governing Hong Kong”, which I am afraid is hard to understand. A country’s citizens and, in particular, public servants should love their country – isn’t it the very least to be expected?

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