Nation’s top political advisers talk SAR patriotism

The nation’s top political advisory body discussed the need to “improve the capacity” of patriots in Hong Kong and Macao at its regular biweekly meeting, the Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

Politburo member and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference chairman Wang Yang led the discussion in the CPPCC’s National Committee on Friday, the agency said.

“Highlighting the necessity and urgency of enhancing capacity building for the ranks of patriots who love the country, Hong Kong and Macao, Wang underscored the importance of adhering to the fundamental principles of ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’ and ‘patriots administering Macao’,” Xinhua reported.

“He urged efforts to unite the patriots and help them improve capabilities including enhancing political consciousness, forging close ties with the people and solving problems, so as to contribute to the realisation of good governance in the SARs and ensuring the steady practice of ‘one country, two systems’.”

Xinhua said t Ten political advisors and an invited representative spoke at the session, while more than 90 more voiced their opinions via an online platform.

The meeting extended congratulations to Chief Executive-elect John Lee, who they noted won an “overwhelming majority of votes” in Sunday’s election. Lee, the former chief secretary and security minister, won 99 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s election, in which he was the sole approved candidate.

The advisers said there should be further efforts among members of patriotic political and social organisations to “strengthen their political stand, promote self-reform and strengthen internal management”.

Xinhua said the advisers also suggested prioritising “uniting those from professional sectors, expanding the reserve force of those who love the country, and love Hong Kong and Macao, improving the composition of CPPCC members from the SARs, and strengthening patriotic education for young people in the SARs”.