Democracy for Hong Kong, a Chinese city

Editor's note: Keith Lamb, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a University of Oxford graduate with a Master of Science in Contemporary Chinese Studies. His primary research interests are China's international relations and "socialism with Chinese characteristics." The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. 

Results of the Seventh District Council Ordinary Election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have just been unveiled with the HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, extending his congratulations to the 264 elected members, saying that under the reformed electoral system, all those elected will be "patriots who safeguard security and interests of the districts, the HKSAR and the country as a whole, allowing residents to live and work in contentment and ensuring Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."

"Patriots administering Hong Kong" refers to the principle that only individuals who are loyal to the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR should hold positions of authority in Hong Kong's governance structure. Due to this principle, Western media is unreflectively reporting that the Hong Kong elections, which have been orderly and well run with candidates from all walks of life participating, as "illegitimate." Indeed, patriotism is countered using the language of democracy by claiming "pro-democracy" candidates are pushed out.

I contest this standpoint and this language, which detaches democracy from its material foundations by turning it into a religion defined by the capricious whims of Western power elites. Indeed, these whims merely boil down to their powerful material class interests that use the definition of democratic legitimacy to anti-democratically further their own hidden agenda. When it comes to China, democracy, as defined by these elite class interests, comes down to subjugating China under their global dominance, which is now giving way to a multipolar order.

Let us be clear, democracy, in the current world order, exists within the framework of nation-states, which have a geographical presence. It is an undeniable fact, recognized by the global community, that Hong Kong is part of China. Despite this fact, anti-China forces have disparaged the notion that only "patriots" can administer the city, saying that the election "effectively shuts out all pro-democracy candidates." Who do anti-China forces expect to govern Hong Kong? Those who have lost a grip on reality and believe Hong Kong is not part of China, interests paid for by Washington, or Hong Kong's former colonial power – Britain?

Some convinced by my argument above, where state sovereignty is the foundation of democracy, might still wrongly delegitimize China as non-democratic and so too Hong Kong, which must follow Beijing. Thus, their twisted logic suggests that non-democratic interference is justified. However, firstly, all states must have a political system suited to their own historical conditions and secondly, China has a democratic system.

China's whole-process people's democracy consults daily and has elections from the grassroots, which elects, through competence, all the way to the top. Either way, policy for the people, not elections, is the primary criterion to measure democracy. In paper democracies, elections work for the elites, while China's real democracy enacts policy to improve living conditions, education, healthcare, infrastructure and foreign policy for all.

Coming back to Hong Kong, on the ground, elections went smoothly, schools used for ballot stations were open late to allow people to vote after work, and those on the ground have reported seeing lively campaigning on the streets. Missing, of course, are those advocating for "Hong Kong independence," who would not swear an oath to Beijing and would collude with foreign forces – good riddance!

Importantly, the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" is a pro-democratic move that arose as a reaction to outside interference. It was solidified through a series of legal and constitutional changes starting with the 2020 National Security Law, which targeted acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with external forces.

This necessary modification came about after foreign state actors, in collusion with certain wealthy local individuals, twisted local grievances into a violent separatist movement that sought to overthrow China's "one country, two systems" principle and bring down China's democratic system.

The 2019 riots were ironically rooted in problems caused by the same interests that were fanning them on. A racialized colonial ideology pitted the "superior" Hong Kong youth against their mainland brethren. Monopolistic colonial interests held sway over the territory, leading to rising living costs with some sections of this class directing grievances towards Beijing. These destabilizing factors are now all being worked on.

Democracy is not a religion, it cannot be defined by outsiders, and it is not a switch. Rather it must be constructed within the relevant historical, social, geographical and civilizational contexts. Hong Kong, regardless of its colonial legacy and despite being an international gateway to foreign capital, at the end of the day must have its democracy bonded with the rest of China, to whom it belongs and to whom is the ultimate guarantor of freedom and democracy for all the Chinese people. Making sure patriots run the HKSAR is a simple step in achieving this.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)