On March 5, the spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region stated that the Commissioner's Office pledges full support to the Hong Kong SAR related agenda of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) to deliberate a draft NPC decision on improving the electoral system of Hong Kong, which will provide sound institutional guarantee for fully implementing "patriots governing Hong Kong".
The spokesperson pointed out that Hong Kong's democratic development began only after its return to the motherland. In practice, however, some obvious loopholes have been exposed in the current electoral system. Supported and incited by the foreign forces, the anti-China disruptors and local radical separatists have repeatedly attempted to challenge the SAR’s constitutional order and seize the governance by exploiting the loopholes, which seriously jeopardized national sovereignty and security, and endangered Hong Kong’s overall stability. To deliberate the draft NPC decision on improving the electoral system of Hong Kong is to fulfill the power and responsibility of central authorities. It is conducted within the framework of the Constitution and the Hong Kong Basic law, and has received positive response and support from the whole Hong Kong community.
The spokesperson said that the central government has firm determination and full confidence to implement the principle of "one country, two systems", "the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong," and a high degree of autonomy. The necessary steps taken by the NPC to wipe out the hidden dangers and risks in the mechanism and institution will ensure the full implementation of "patriots governing Hong Kong", enhance the effective law-based governance and guarantee the right direction of the practice of "one country, two systems" in the Hong Kong SAR.
The spokesperson emphasized that improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR completely falls within China’s internal affairs. Any interference of foreign governments, organizations or individuals would not be tolerated.
The spokesperson said that with profound patriotic tradition and prevailing core value of loving the motherland and loving Macao, Macao is bound to have a full implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Macao". The Commissioner’s Office will implement the principle of "one country, two systems" in an all-round and correct way, strictly follow the Constitution and the Macao Basic Law, resolutely safeguard the national sovereignty, security and development interests, and create a favorable external environment for the continuous successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao features.