Hong Kong wouldn't be shamed for being patriotic

Editor's note: As the deliberation on "patriot governing Hong Kong" and improvements to the city's electoral system is underway, conflicting views, criticisms and different characterizations of the issue fill the public discourse. CGTN First Voice presents a three-part series, offering Chinese perspectives on the subject.Part three focuses on the idea of "patriot governing Hong Kong."

The Oxford Dictionary of English defines "patriot" as "a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors."

Sounds like a requirement for an official, isn't it? For those who question this, does that mean they prefer their elected officials to put themselves, their city or country in danger? Asking people who want to hold the reins of power to be patriotic is the most common of common senses. It is the utmost and most fundamental requirement of the occupant of public office.

Many governments around the world have their ways of demanding public officials to express their loyalty and patriotism to their country. The United Kingdom requires all members of Parliament to take the Oath of Allegiance to the monarch. Every four years, people could hear U.S. president-elect saying, "Preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" on the dais in front of the Capitol.

Being patriotic and dictating a political stance are two different subjects. Western media and politicians tend to use them interchangeably, blurring the lines between the two to paint a picture that serves the image of their so-called "democracy." Patriotism is turned into a dirty concept.

In a political system, parties can argue fiercely and have major differences between them while still respecting and preserving the system itself. China welcomes different political opinions and debates about the best way to approach the problems the nation faces. But none can tolerate having one of them trying to bring down the whole system. Hong Kong's autonomy is guaranteed under the "One Country, Two Systems," the basis of which is "One Country." The line is crossed when people try to poison the entire governing structure and break up the country just because they don't get their way.

Violent radicals attempt to break and enter the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong, China, July 1, 2019. /Xinhua

No system can work with elements within it that seek to destroy it. China is making sure that those who want to serve the public interest in Hong Kong wouldn't be of them.

Foreign powers have been exploiting loopholes in Hong Kong to try to break it from within. People, especially young adults who never lived under the colonial rule and don't remember the despotism under foreigners' thrall, idealized a colonial past that never existed. Many of them have been enticed by a twisted notion of "democracy" and "autonomy" that drove them to seek creating a separate state through violence. Some wanted to break it from within.

Some are saying that the United Kingdom allows members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) – a party that supports Scottish independence, to serve in Parliament, why can't China do the same? Well, similar dissent was allowed in Hong Kong until people began to seek changes in the electoral system by encouraging violence and bringing life in the city to a halt. Members of the SNP all swear oath to the Queen and have publicly committed to working within the UK system to achieve their goals. They don't turn to violence or try to tear down the system from within.

No country in the world can tolerate a handful of people threatening to dismember the state through violence. The U.S. is cracking down on rioters that besieged the Capitol. Spanish and EU authorities struck Catalonia's unilateral efforts to form an independent state. China isn't going to allow Hong Kong to break away and will stamp out any efforts trying to do so.

China isn't without internal arguments. There are deliberate processes for policies and all stakeholders' ideas are taken into account. But when the process is done and decision is made, it is through unity and a steadfast focus that China has been able to maintain its historic growth and achieve unprecedented feasts in human history. The country didn't make it this far by heeding foreign powers' whims or listening to their "suggestions" or "urges" on how to conduct its business. The lesson was learnt through heavy prices.

Political debates that help Hong Kong recover and thrive are needed and welcomed. Efforts that seek to displace and destroy it will be met with the judgement of the law.

Part I:

Stripping the disgraced and treasonous of their power in Hong Kong

Part II:

Hong Kong is open, not beholden to foreigners

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