Beijing says it would welcome people formerly hostile to Hong Kong, mainland China to election process if they changed ways

Zheng Yanxiong, head of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, says there are standards for ‘patriots’ and people would have to be proved to be sincere

But he insists ‘non-patriots, especially those anti-Hong Kong and China forces, should not have any chance’ of standing in elections

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Beijing has signalled it would welcome ex-Opposition figures to elections if it was proved they had changed their views. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 5:54pm, 31 Oct 2023Updated: 9:25pm, 31 Oct 2023

Beijing would welcome forces formerly hostile to Hong Kong and mainland China to the election process if it could be proved they had changed their ways, the country’s top man in the city said on Tuesday, but ruled out “non-patriots” being allowed to stand.

Zheng Yanxiong, head of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said there were “recognised standards” for patriots.

He said they must be committed to safeguarding national sovereignty and development interests, respect the country’s fundamental systems and Hong Kong’s constitutional order and uphold the city’s prosperity and stability.

“Any non-patriots, especially those anti-Hong Kong and China forces, should not have any chance to stand in any local elections,” Zheng said.

Zheng Yanxiong, the head of Beijing’s liaison officer in Hong Kong, tells a seminar on district councils that ex-opposition figures were welcome to stand in elections if it was proved they had changed their ways. Photo: Elson LI

He also emphasised it was more important to observe people’s actions rather than listening to their words before it was decided if someone qualified as a patriot.

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