BEIJING (Reuters) – “Loopholes” in Hong Kong laws must be closed to ensure that the city is ruled by “patriots”, a senior Beijing official said on Monday, signaling changes in the city’s electoral system ruled by the Chinese, potentially as early as next month.
Any change could further limit who can run in a postponed legislative election and could lead to the disqualification of the majority of low-ranking district councilors – most of whom are pro-democracy politicians, sources told Reuters.
The reforms may also further distort a committee that elects the city’s leader in favor of the pro-Beijing camp.
“Patriots” included those who loved China, its constitution and the Communist Party and excluded anti-China “hooligans”, said Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Chinese cabinet’s State Council.
A direct reason for the “anti-China” movements in Hong Kong was that the principle of patriots ruling the city has not been fully implemented, said Xia.
“Relevant legal flaws” must be filled in to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system and ensure that only patriots win important positions, said Xia, according to a transcript of his comments posted online by his office.
Those who violate national security law, or challenge the leadership of the Communist Party, are not patriots, he said, referring to the controversial legislation that Beijing imposed on its freest city in June last year.
Patriots would also resolutely oppose foreign interference in Hong Kong, he said.
“Under no circumstances should important positions be occupied by elements that are anti-China or that bring chaos to Hong Kong.”
A Hong Kong deputy to China’s parliament, due to meet on March 5, said that a “detailed electoral reform plan” for the city is likely to be presented this year, according to a Global Times tweet, a tabloid published by the official People’s Daily, this Monday.
The demand for “patriotism” for the city’s fiercely independent judiciary would be of particular concern to many in Hong Kong, as its common law-based system was instrumental in establishing the city as a global financial center.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said her government would cooperate fully with Beijing in its role in improving the political system of the former British colony.
“You have to be a very strong and determined patriot to the point of being prepared to make every effort to defend” one country, two systems “, regardless of your personal sacrifices,” said Lam, referring to the semi-autonomous style of governance of the city.
(Reporting by Gabriel Crossley in Beijing and Clare Jim in Hong Kong, edited by Anne Marie Roantree and Raissa Kasolowsky)