No punishment for not being a patriot, says Starry Lee

Being a patriot doesn’t directly equal loving the Chinese Communist Party, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress Starry Lee Wai-king said, as she stressed that there won’t be punishment for not loving the country and the ruling party. 

Lee made the remarks when she was speaking in a TV interview on Sunday and was asked if the definition of patriotism in Hong Kong should follow the mainland version, which includes loving the ruling party and socialism. 

“The country has accomplished outstanding results and achievements under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. When we speak of our recognition for the country’s achievements in different areas, it also equals our recognition and affection for the ruling party,” she said. 

Lee, also the convener of the working group of patriotic education, said the group will call their first-ever meeting within this month. 

The government earlier suggested focusing efforts in four aspects, namely school education; local community; history, politics, economy and culture; and media publicity. 

Lee believes that all stakeholders, including foreign enterprises and religions, have the conditions to promote patriotic education and that investors won’t be deterred by this policy. 

“Many enterprises are participating in services with the theme of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and to a certain extent they are nurturing citizens’ civil awareness … I think many enterprises are willing to let workers learn more about national development through regular visits or exchange trips to the mainland. 

“Many religious organizations display the national emblem and hoist the national flag in their offices as well,” Lee said. 

She admitted it will be difficult to weigh if a person is a patriot but stressed that relevant mainland law doesn’t forcefully implement patriotism. There won’t be punishment for not loving the country and the ruling party, she added.