China will never leave HK affairs alone

China has "comprehensive jurisdiction" over Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and will always be involved in the region's affairs.

This must be stressed at a time when a draft decision on the electoral reform in Hong Kong was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for deliberation.

As granted by the Constitution and the Basic Law, the NPC Standing Committee has the power to make a decision which is expected to answer core questions about the nomination committee and key procedures for deciding candidates.

Despite the central government's commitment to achieving the goal of Hong Kong's universal suffrage by 2017, some have raised proposals that violate the Basic Law.

They even threatened the central leadership into accepting their views, citing the so-called "international standards".

Such actions would only cause economic and social chaos, without bringing any benefit to the interests of the Hong Kong people. Should there be any backwards progress in achieving the goal of universal suffrage as scheduled, the organizers of such actions must shoulder all responsibilities for blocking democratic development.

If unstopped, these actions will threaten national sovereignty and security.

It is under the precondition of acknowledging the "comprehensive jurisdiction" and abiding by the Basic Law that Hong Kong can develop a system of democratic governance that suits its conditions.

Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 with a high degree of autonomy under the policy of "One Country, Two Systems".

Taking Hong Kong's realities into consideration, the central government made special arrangements to exercise jurisdiction through the Basic Law.

For instance, it allows permanent residents with overseas nationality to enjoy election rights. It also made clear universal suffrage for selecting the chief executive from a pool of candidates chosen by a broadly representative nominating committee will be achieved by 2017.

Seventeen years of prosperity and stability proved there is no contradiction in the jurisdiction exercised by the central government and Hong Kong's autonomy.

But with such high degree of autonomy, there is no excuse for denying the authority of the central government. It is dangerous to stress the region's capitalism while neglecting the "one country" principle.

Should there be any "international standard," it requires politicians to be patriotic and loyal to their country.

That is why the region's chief executive must be one who loves the country and loves Hong Kong. Hong Kong's administrators should above all be patriotic.

To be patriotic, Hong Kong's administrators must respect their nation, sincerely support China's resumption of jurisdiction over Hong Kong and not damage the region's prosperity and stability.

For foreigners serving in the region's judicial organs, they are not required to "love China," but should be loyal to the HKSAR and support Basic Law. The requirement acknowledges their political status and does not contradict the principle of judicial independence.

China will not squeeze Hong Kong's autonomy, but anti-central government groups should cast off the illusion that Hong Kong is under full autonomy.

It is under the support of the central government and the mainland that Hong Kong can continue its long-term prosperity to embrace a brighter future.