On Tuesday, the Administrative Council of the Legislative Assembly of Macao Special Administrative Region said that the number of direct election candidates for the Assembly dropped from 159 to 128, of which 21 lost their qualification because they disobeyed the Basic Law and displayed disloyalty to the Macao SAR.

It is rather astonishing to see some Western media outlets covering the issue with the distorted claim that "freedom parties" lost opportunity in Macao. According to the Administrative Council, they have already sent to each of the 21 disqualified a document that explains why the decision was made; The documents listed clearly what wrongs the latter committed and how the wrongs harmed national security, all supported by evidences.

None of them has been disqualified for being an opposition party. So what is the definition of "freedom" for certain Western media? Do they mean a candidate must harm the national security in order to be called "free"? Ironically, patriotism, or love for one's country, is a precedent and basic requirement of anyone running for a political post in the homeland of these Western media. In the US, for example, there are credentials committees for every election, and those who openly claim not loving America will not pass.

Besides the law, US politicians often attack each other for disloyalty to their home country, as we have seen in too many past elections. Especially in the October surprise that happens at every US presidential election, politicians from both parties dig materials to prove they are more loyal to the nation than their competitor.

These Western media outlets play a significant role in hyping up patriotism in their country's elections. So why adopt a different standard when it comes to Macao, which is part of China?

The Administrative Council's decision has received warm welcome from Macao and the whole nation, which is best evidence about how Macao people, for whom the election is to be held, view the issue. Time for some Western media to hear the true voices of Macao people, instead of making rumors and spreading them.