Realise ‘inevitability and urgency’ of patriotic power and nurture talent, top Chinese official urges Hong Kong in message to next administration
- State media reports remarks made by Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference at Beijing meeting
- Wang’s comments also seen as directed at Macau, China’s other special administrative region
A top Chinese official chairing the country’s highest political advisory body has urged Hong Kong to realise the “inevitability and urgency” of the rise of patriotic power and focus on nurturing new talent, according to state media.
Xinhua reported on Saturday that Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at a meeting in Beijing a day earlier, seemingly setting the tone for the next Hong Kong administration.
“Wang stressed [there was a need] to learn extensively how to implement the spirit of the discourse set out by General Secretary Xi Jinping about the work on Hong Kong and Macau, to deeply understand the inevitability and urgency of strengthening the constructive power of those who love the country, Hong Kong and Macau,” Xinhua reported.
Wang added both places should hold on to the “fundamental principle of patriots ruling Hong Kong and Macau”, while realising the need for “mass unification”, as well as “cultivating newly emerging power”.
He urged local leaders to work harder on raising their political clout, leadership skills and the ability to unify society to “solve problems, achieve good governance in the special regions and ensure the stability of ‘one country, two systems’”, referring to Beijing’s ruling principle for Hong Kong and Macau.
Those who attended the meeting included Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, who is also a CPPCC vice-chairman.
Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying and Macau’s first chief executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah, both CPPCC vice-chairmen, were also present. As were Hong Kong lawmaker Kenneth Fok Kai-kong and permanent honorary president of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association Irons Sze Wing-wai, both members.
Xinhua reported that some 90 CPPCC members at the meeting congratulated Lee on becoming Hong Kong’s next leader.
They suggested leaders from both cities focus on educating the public on the national constitution, the Basic Law – the mini-constitution for both Macau and Hong Kong – as well as national affairs, with an aim to protect national security.
They added patriotic groups should raise their political standing, find their own positioning and “become younger” to expand their influence.
To strengthen the constructive power of patriots, they suggested, there should be an effort to let the younger generation take part in politics and political debates while supporting this demographic in Hong Kong and Macau in moving to the mainland for development.
Fok said he suggested that patriotic groups set up a career ladder to attract newcomers and better promote education to strengthen awareness of national identity. They should also use people living overseas and be precise in the services they offer, he said he told the meeting.
A source who attended the meeting said Xia spoke for about eight to 10 minutes, but much like most of the session, the content of his speech centred on how CPPCC members should equip themselves rather than on the general situation in Hong Kong.
He did not mention policies incoming chief executive Lee should take up, nor did Xia touch on an impending plan to restructure the city’s government, the source said.
