In Pics | Xia Baolong proposes 'five principles' and 'three standards' on 'patriots governing HK'

A symposium on improving the institutional framework of "one country, two systems" and implementing the fundamental principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" was held in Beijing Monday (Feb. 22). A senior Chinese official on Hong Kong affairs on Monday (Feb. 22) called "patriots governing Hong Kong" the essence of the "one country, two systems" principle.

"Patriots governing Hong Kong" means that Hong Kong must be governed by patriots and the power of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) must be in the hands of patriots, said Xia Baolong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Xia stressed that "five principles" must be adhered to when implementing "patriots governing HK".

For the definition of a "patriot", Xia also proposed "three standards."