Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong, July 14, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

A Chinese law expert has spoken of the need to improve Hong Kong's electoral system to ensure the special administrative region is governed by patriots.

Han Dayuan, a professor at Renmin University of China, said that "patriots governing Hong Kong" was a fundamental principle to improve the institutions of "one country, two systems", safeguard national sovereignty and security, and ensure Hong Kong's long-term prosperity.

Hong Kong's electoral system aims to "uphold national unity and territorial integrity, and maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong", a principle inscribed in the preamble of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said Han, who is also a member of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

The electoral system must stick to the fundamental principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong", Han said, adding that the root cause of the recent chaos afflicting Hong Kong was the failure to effectively implement this principle.

Noting that Hong Kong's democratic and electoral systems have some loopholes, the expert called for plugging them at the earliest opportunity.

Some of these flaws were highlighted by Han, including the failure to ensure that all candidates meet a certain patriotic criteria－which led to some candidates advocating "Hong Kong independence" ending up winning elections.

Han also pointed out the inability of the existing electoral system to effectively represent the overall interests of Hong Kong society, and the inadequacy of the elections to reflect the will of the people.

He further pointed out that Hong Kong's electoral system lacks a proper mechanism to guard against external interference, giving foreign anti-China forces a chance to destabilize Hong Kong and interfere with its democratic development, thus posing a serious latent threat to national security.

Stressing election security as an important foundation for national security, Han said Hong Kong's electoral system concerns the security of both the HKSAR and the entire country, and it is necessary to ensure patriots enter the governing team through the elections.

If the electoral system is not improved, national security risks cannot be forestalled, posing various risks to Hong Kong's constitutional order, Han said.

The fundamental purpose of improving the electoral system is to help improve the institutions for "one country, two systems", maintain Hong Kong's long-term stability and protect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, he added.

A group of Hong Kong lawmakers said on Monday they fully endorse and support the "patriots governing Hong Kong" principle as outlined by the head of the central government's top body overseeing Hong Kong affairs.

The 28 lawmakers made the remarks at a news conference in Hong Kong, after Xia Baolong, a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made a speech at a symposium in Beijing.

At the symposium, Xia said that the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" must always be upheld to ensure the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems".

Agreeing with Xia, Martin Liao Cheung-kong, a barrister and the convener of the pro-establishment lawmakers in the Legislative Council, said the lawmakers fully support an immediate improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system in accordance with the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong".

This will be the only way for Hong Kong to get rid of internal disturbances, to guarantee the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems", and to have more room for "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy", he said.

Liao said the prolonged social unrest in 2019 is a lesson learned for Hong Kong, when those who were not patriots were allowed to hold positions in the legislature and other authorities and to fight against the establishment.

According to a joint statement by the lawmakers, the unpatriotic, who refused to recognize the fundamental regime of the country, have been resisting the Chinese mainland and the central government's overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong since the city's return to the motherland.

They have exploited rights conferred to them by law and put the practices of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" in unprecedented peril, according to the statement.

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's business sector has highlighted the significance and urgency of improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong."

They said improving the electoral system and implementing "patriots administering Hong Kong" is a must to ensure the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, and people's wellbeing.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Friday started deliberating a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR.

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong vowed to fully support the draft decision of the NPC and stressed improving the electoral system will guarantee Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and promote the development of Hong Kong's democratic system.

Yuen Mo, chairman of the chamber, said improving Hong Kong's electoral system is crucial to implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and safeguarding the national development interests and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

If those not genuinely willing to serve Hong Kong enter the power structure, the effective administration of the HKSAR government will be obstructed and the so-called "Hong Kong independence" will be incited, which will damage the law and order, people's livelihood and Hong Kong's international image, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong said.

Allen Shi Lop-tak, president of the association, believed an improved electoral system of the HKSAR will reduce infighting and let Hong Kong refocus on economic development.

The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association said the rioting and turbulence that occurred in the Hong Kong society reveals that the existing electoral system of the HKSAR has obvious loopholes and deficiencies, which the anti-China, destabilizing elements jumped on to take into their hands the power to administer the HKSAR.

Necessary measures must be taken to improve the electoral system and remove existing institutional risks to ensure the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body, the association said.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of China Business Wong Ping said improving the electoral system is another significant move by the central authorities after the national security law in the HKSAR to safeguard Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

Tan Yueheng, permanent honorary president of the Chinese Securities Association of Hong Kong, stressed under "patriots administering Hong Kong," Hong Kong remains a society inclusive of diverse opinions and Hong Kong residents still enjoy democratic rights with Hong Kong characteristics.

As violent incidents and the COVID-19 epidemic dealt blows to Hong Kong's businesses, an improved electoral system will help the Legislative Council resume normal operation and the government of the HKSAR carry out policies to improve people's livelihood, Lo Kam-yam, president of the Hong Kong Commerce and Industry Associations, said.

After that, businesses will have a sound business environment and residents can again lead a happy and stable life, he said.

At the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, Belarus delivered a joint statement on behalf of 70 countries in support of China's measures to ensure long-term prosperity and stability in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and opposing Western countries' exploitation of Hong Kong issues to interfere in China's internal affairs.

Another 20-plus countries also voiced support for China's position and measures on Hong Kong-related issues in their respective remarks at the Human Rights Council meeting.

This is clear evidence that China's Hong Kong-related policy is gaining increasing support from the international community, as more and more countries around the world have seen through the knavery of those Western countries championing "human rights" and "democracy" in the SAR as a means to discredit China.

As the joint statement rightfully pointed out, non-interference is an important principle of the UN Charter and a basic norm governing international relations to be observed by all countries.

The wide international support China has gained over Hong Kong-related issues shows the space for anti-China forces in the West to contain China's development momentum using issues such as those in Hong Kong is dwindling fast.

The support also underscores international recognition for China's achievements in implementing the "one country, two systems" framework in Hong Kong and maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

With the backing of the central government, Hong Kong has over the years maintained its status as an international free trade port and an independent customs entity, offering ample business opportunities to the outside world.

Yet, in the past few years, some anti-China forces have worked hand in glove with destabilizing elements in Hong Kong to undermine the SAR government and Hong Kong's status as a prosperous international financial hub.

After the SAR implemented a national security law last year, stability has gradually been restored. But some ill-intentioned Westerners, refusing to accept their defeat, have continued to act as "black hands" trying to stir up trouble for China on the world stage by hyping up the Hong Kong affairs.

They should know China remains steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

On Friday, the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, started deliberating a draft decision on improving Hong Kong's electoral system, demonstrating China's determination to safeguard the sound and smooth development of Hong Kong's democratic system within the institutional framework of "one country, two systems".

Those Western anti-China forces who still think the Hong Kong card is a winning proposition are simply deluding themselves.