Ng Leung-ho, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said Sunday that only by sticking to the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" can "One Country" in the "One Country, Two Systems" principle be safeguarded. 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) should be governed by those who love their country and support the "One Country, Two Systems" principle first, Ng noted at a second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing. 

The 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, is deliberating a draft decision on improving the HKSAR's electoral system during its fourth annual session running from March 5 to 11. 

Ng said "patriots governing Hong Kong" is essential for the country's sovereignty, security and development interests.  

Only through this principle can the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR be effectively implemented and the long-term stability and safety of Hong Kong be achieved, he noted. 

Only by sticking to "patriots governing Hong Kong" and implementing the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, can the financial hub avoid being eroded by external forces and only by sticking to the principle, can Hong Kong be smoothly integrated into the country's overall development, strengthen its competitiveness and achieve prosperity, Ng stressed. 

The CPPCC member said the loopholes in the current electoral system should be closed as soon as possible and a sound system is needed to guarantee that Hong Kong is governed by patriots. 

The principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" was first laid down by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s. 

In last year's NPC annual session held in May, the legislature adopted a decision on "establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the HKSAR to safeguard national security," after months of unrest and street violence originated from an ordinance amendment bill plunged Hong Kong into the "gravest" situation since its return to China in 1997. 

On June 30, 2020, the NPC Standing Committee adopted the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR before it was promulgated and enacted locally by the HKSAR government.