Top Beijing body set to make patriotism mandatory for Hong Kong legislators
- National People’s Congress Standing Committee expected to clarify law requiring public officers pledge allegiance to city and uphold mini-constitution
- Resolution could lead to disqualification of opposition lawmakers, who have threatened to quit en masse
China’s top legislative body is set to make “patriotism” a legal requirement for Hong Kong lawmakers, the Post has learned, in a move that could pave the way to disqualify filibustering opposition legislators.
Sources said the resolution, to be revealed and endorsed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) on Wednesday, was expected to refer to the definition of patriotism that late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping made in June 1984, when he said patriots must form the main body of the city’s administrators after the handover from Britain in 1997.
“A patriot is one who respects the Chinese nation, sincerely supports the motherland’s resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and wishes not to impair Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability … whether they believe in capitalism or feudalism,” Deng told local politicians.
Ahead of the deliberations in the capital, 19 opposition lawmakers had threatened to quit en masse if any one of them was disqualified over delaying tactics in the Legislative Council.
Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the standing committee, said deputies were warned against disclosing details of the proceedings early.
“I can only discuss it after the meeting ends on Wednesday,” Tam said. “Please understand that.”