Image source,Xinhua
Xia Baolong
China’s top official in charge of Hong Kong and Macao affairs, Xia Baolong, stated in Beijing on Friday (July 16) that the Hong Kong National Security Law, which has been implemented for the first anniversary, “shows great power”, calling this law a “law to ensure the safety, stability and tranquility of Hong Kong”. “. He also said that the future election review in Hong Kong will be “very strict” and that “anti-China chaos in Hong Kong” should be excluded from the SAR’s governance structure.
Xia Baolong made the above speech at a seminar on the first anniversary of the implementation of the “National Security Law” in Hong Kong hosted by the China Hong Kong and Macau Research Association. According to official media reports, more than 300 people from Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland attended the event.
After the implementation of the “National Security Law” last year, outsiders questioned Hong Kong’s serious setbacks in politics, the rule of law, and freedom of the press. The Hong Kong Legislative Council election was originally scheduled to be held in September 2020, but the Hong Kong government said that in response to the new crown epidemic, the election was postponed for one year and held on September 5 this year.
Seven major functions of “National Security Law”
In his speech, Xia Baolong summarized the seven major functions of the “National Security Law”: including the complete smashing of the Hong Kong version of the “color revolution” scheme, the gradual stability of the society, the continued strength of Hong Kong’s economy and finance, and the self-defeating of Hong Kong’s lies of “bad-mouthing” Hong Kong.
He said that the “National Security Law” has given international investors “reassurance” and that Hong Kong’s status as a financial center has not been compromised in the slightest.
Xia Baolong also praised the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Police Force, saying that the Hong Kong Police Force is the pride of Hong Kong and the country.
“The brave Hong Kong Police Force has always been at the forefront of stopping violence and chaos, and is worthy of its reputation as the best police force in the world. The Hong Kong Police Force is the pride of Hong Kong, the pride of the country, and the heroes of Hong Kong.” Xia Baolong said .
He is full of confidence in Hong Kong’s prospects, and pointed out that when China’s second centenary goal is achieved, the housing problem in Hong Kong will be greatly improved in the future, and he will bid farewell to subdivided housing and “cage homes.”
Five requirements for Hong Kong governors
Xia Baolong also stated that Hong Kong must implement the principle of “patriots ruling Hong Kong”. On the one hand, we must exclude the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong from the special administrative region’s governance structure, and on the other hand, we must ensure the election of staunch patriots with strong governance capabilities.
Image source,CNS
Xia Baolong said that governors must not only love the country and Hong Kong, but also possess both political integrity and ability, as well as the ability to govern.
He also said that Hong Kong’s governors must meet five major requirements: be good at fully and accurately implementing the “one country, two systems” policy, solving various contradictions and problems facing Hong Kong’s development, doing practical work for the people, uniting all forces, and performing their duties.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said to the Hong Kong media about Xia Baolong’s speech today that five aspects of work must be done in the future, including deepening the implementation of the National Security Law, actively preparing for the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, and doing a good job in the next three elections.
In the past, some people questioned the ability of Hong Kong’s establishment politicians. Tian Feilong, director of the National Hong Kong and Macau Research Association, wrote in Hong Kong newspapers that the central government needs “skillful patriots” rather than “loyal wastes.” This remark has aroused Hot discussion in Hong Kong politics.
This time Xia Baolong not only reiterated that Hong Kong should implement “patriots ruling Hong Kong” and “eliminate the governance structure of anti-China chaos in Hong Kong”. He spent a lot of space to emphasize the election of “strong governance ability and firmness” in the election. “Patriots” must be able to resolve various contradictions and problems in Hong Kong, and must be “inspiring” and unite “powers from all quarters.”
In the past, the biggest “task” of the establishment camp was to repel the democrats. However, after the democrats’ victory in the district council elections in the previous year, the ability of the establishment began to be questioned. After the central government implemented the “National Security Law”, the Hong Kong democratic camp was ordered. There is not much left in the system, and the central government seems to have new requirements for the establishment camp.
Image source,CNS
Xia Baolong believes that governing Hong Kong is no easy task. The governor must not only love the country and Hong Kong, but also possess both moral integrity and ability, as well as the ability to govern.
Xia Baolong mentioned that governors must “have both ability and political integrity.” Just a week ago, public opinion in Hong Kong paid close attention to the involvement of the head of the disciplined forces in a controversial meal.
The Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs, the Director of Immigration, and the Deputy Secretary of the Security Bureau admitted that they had been fined for violating the gathering restriction order. According to reports, a senior executive of a mainland enterprise in the restaurant was arrested in a rape case. Outsiders questioned why officials attended a banquet that seemed to be of great value, and it took several months for the incident to be revealed by the Hong Kong media instead of the Hong Kong government. The officials involved merely apologized, and the Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor government stated that it would no longer be held accountable.
Some netizens asked sarcastically on social media whether this is what the central government calls “both ability and political integrity”.
After the implementation of the National Security Law in mid-2020, Hong Kong has undergone earth-shaking changes in politics, society, education, and media. Many pro-democrats have been arrested and charged. There are very few non-establishment forces in the Legislative Council. Large-scale anti-government demonstrations have all ceased. The pro-democratic media “Apple Daily” ceased publication…
Xia Baolong, vice chairman and secretary-general of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, has concurrently served as director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office since February last year.
Xia Baolong worked with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Zhejiang and was considered by the outside world to be the “Xi Family Army.” One of the most famous incidents during Xia Baolong’s administration in Zhejiang was the forced demolition of the cross.