Hong Kong officials and repre­sentatives of the city’s business, finance, labor and professional sec­tors voiced their firm support for improving the city’s electoral sys­tem while attending a two-­day sym­posium. 

They called the improvements the key to upholding the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle. 

Their remarks were made during the symposium in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Sunday and Monday. It was held to solicit opinions from representatives from all walks of life in Hong Kong on institutional improvement to ensure the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”. 

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 said that the key to sustaining the “one country, two systems” principle lies in fully implementing the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle

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, also attended the symposium. 

Xia said at the meeting that the “one country, two systems” princi­ple will remain unchanged in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 

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He said that the key to sustaining the “one country, two systems” principle lies in fully implementing the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle. 

To this end, it is a must to improve the relevant systems to ensure that the political establish­ment in Hong Kong rests in the hands of genuine patriots, Xia said. 

“Patriotism” means “loving the People’s Republic of China”, he said, adding that the vast majority of Hong Kong people are patriotic. 

According to Xinhua News Agen­cy, other symposium participants unanimously agreed that “patriots governing Hong Kong” is the core of “one country, two systems”. It must be put into effect as soon as possible to achieve full and accu­rate implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, they said. 

It is only natural that Hong Kong should be governed by true patri­ots, the participants said. They add­ed that no country would allow unpatriotic people to take charge of governance. 

READ MORE: HK chief secretary: 'Patriots governing HK' fully justified

The participants cited the politi­cal and social chaos in Hong Kong over the past few years, saying that it was the result of failing to observe the “patriots governing Hong Kong” principle. 

Prompt and law-­based improve­ ment of Hong Kong’s electoral systems should be made and the central government’s leading role in the city’s electoral system should be recognized, the participants said. 

At the same time, the city will also improve the selection and nomination process for govern­ ment officials, strengthen national education and create a better envi­ronment for expressing views in Hong Kong. 

Only when the political situation in Hong Kong is rectified will the city be able to solve its deep-­seated economic and livelihood issues, the participants said. 

gangwen@chinadaily.com.cn