Zhou Bajun says special administrative region's top officials must design city's development strategy with that of the country as a whole

Xia Baolong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made a keynote speech at a high-level symposium on Hong Kong affairs on February 22. In his speech, Xia, on behalf of the central government, elaborated on the fundamental principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong", which is crucial to the faithful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong.

Xia stressed that the institutional framework must be improved and effective methods formulated to ensure that members of the executive, legislative and judicial organs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and chief officials of its major statutory bodies are genuine patriots. Some questioned this requirement by asking, if Hong Kong's major statutory bodies such as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Securities and Futures Commission are headed by patriots, how can Hong Kong maintain and enhance its global standing as an international financial center?

Indeed, quite a number of major statutory bodies in Hong Kong are headed by foreign nationals, employed either before or after July 1, 1997. According to Xia, foreigners who serve as department chiefs and specialists may stay on their posts, while those who head major statutory bodies must be vetted for their allegiance.

It is hard to imagine that a foreign national will bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China simply because their job demands it, their character and integrity notwithstanding.

Some may question why the topic is raised today but not in the past. The answer to that is simple. As Xia pointed out, "one country, two systems" is an unprecedented trailblazing cause and its implementation has not always been smooth sailing. In the past 23 years, there have been multiple radical attempts to undermine the smooth implementation of "one country, two systems" or even cross the bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong is yet to complete a solid political structure to ensure "patriots governing Hong Kong".

Some even argue that having foreigners at the helm of major statutory bodies is conducive to attracting foreign investment and doing business with other international financial centers. Not only is this point of view absurd, but also groundless.

The ability to attract foreign investments clearly does not hinge on certain individuals, but on Hong Kong's global and regional standing, as well as the city's own economic vitality and prowess. Everyone can attest to the fact that so far in the 21st century, Hong Kong's stock market has increasingly relied on the listing of mainland enterprises and the economic integration of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland to attract foreign investments. On the other hand, since the US adjusted its global strategy with China as one of its main rivals in 2018, while the paradigm shift in global power balance sped up, Hong Kong as an international financial center is about to see its bearing changed accordingly if not already. At this historic juncture, Hong Kong had better hire professional creme de la creme familiar with the mainland market workings and capable of entering financial markets beyond Western backwaters to lead major financial institutions.

As long as the US, Britain and other Western countries maintain normal or even cordial relations with China, the SAR government may not have to put foreign candidates through a stringent stress test of their allegiance to the HKSAR before hiring them as heads of major statutory bodies. However, given the volatile global situation today and in the foreseeable future, those foreigners have no choice but to choose sides between China and the US-led Western powers. Instead of exerting tremendous pressure on them, it would be better to enforce the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" and let patriotic Chinese nationals take up the top position at major statutory bodies.

The heads of major statutory bodies in Hong Kong are in fact appointed by top officials of the SAR government, who, according to Xia, are subject to higher requirements. He stressed that those who hold important positions, wield vital power and shoulder major governance responsibilities in the power structure of the HKSAR must be staunch patriots of the highest order in Hong Kong. To this end, he put forward four criteria for top government officials of the HKSAR. Among them, the third criterion is that they have to put the interest of the nation (including Hong Kong) above all other concerns. He added that the destiny of Hong Kong has always been closely tied to the motherland, which is one of sharing weal and woe. Therefore, top SAR government officials must design Hong Kong's development strategy with the overall development strategy of the nation in sight and the rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation in mind. They must abandon any hesitation and irresolution when it comes to seizing the strategic opportunities created by the modernization of the country and being the best bridge linking the motherland and the outside world. They should align the needs of the country with the strengths of Hong Kong, and compound the support of the motherland with the city's efforts to create a better future for Hong Kong and add luster to the rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation.

Hong Kong still has some way to go toward establishing a political environment conducive to "patriots governing Hong Kong".

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

The author is a senior research fellow of China Everbright Holdings.