Adapt to times, pan-dems urged

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director Xia Baolong's remarks on anti-China disruptors were not against all democrats, but they should consider adjusting to the new situation, says Hong Kong's sole delegate at the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Speaking on a radio program yesterday, Tam Yiu-chung said Xia wanted all residents to be active participants in "patriots administering Hong Kong" instead of being idle bystanders, adding that his remarks about anti-China disruptors were not directed at people who held different political views.

Xia spoke at Monday's seminar held by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.

"When Xia spoke about anti-China disruptors, he was not referring to those who hold different political views - that's a very serious allegation. Instead, he was referring to troublemakers backed by the West," Tam said.

"The democrats should adapt to the new situation, taking into consideration whether that adjustment is fast or slow. Each group has its own historical reasons, so it could take some time. As an academic and an observer, I am just giving them a friendly reminder."

Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, speaking on another program, agreed with Tam, saying the anti-China forces Xia was referring to are people who actively collude with foreign powers.

"Collusion with foreign forces is a form of treason, especially given the state of international affairs. If the West wants to gang up on China, the central authorities have no choice but to stay on high alert," Ip said.

When asked whether she thought the Democratic Party had been involved in such affairs over the past two years, Ip said she "did not monitor their actions," but there would be a problem if the party continued to reject the central government's comprehensive jurisdiction over Hong Kong and the city's constitutional order.

"The central government has emphasized time and time again that patriots must rule Hong Kong. If the Democratic Party wishes to reenter the legislature and be involved in governance, they must be able to adhere to this gold standard. The central government does not have an obligation to accommodate differences in opinion," she said.

On the legislature's sole lawmaker who is not pro-establishment, Tik Chi-yuen of the centrist party Third Side, Ip said: "I don't think he [Tik] fully endorses [the Communist Party's leadership], but at least he accepts it."

As for the legislation of Article 23, Ip believes it is only a matter of time. But as the national security law had been legislated and the new administration had just taken office, some issues are more urgent for the time being.

"The most pressing issue now is the pandemic and the border reopening. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau is currently dealing with the relevant policies," she said

cjames.lee@singtaonewscorp.com