[Explanation] Tan Yaozong, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a consultant of the Hong Kong Democratic Alliance for the Advancement of Hong Kong (DAB), who is about to leave for Beijing to participate in the 2021 National People's Congress, met with the media in Hong Kong on February 25.

He said that Xia Baolong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, recently stated that "patriots governing Hong Kong" is the core of the "one country, two systems" policy, and he himself deeply feels this.

  [Concurrent] Tan Yaozong, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and consultant of the Hong Kong Democratic Alliance for the Advancement of Hong Kong

  I think it is inevitable, necessary, and justified for patriots to rule Hong Kong, because we have to implement one country, two systems.

If you are not patriotic, how can you implement it?

So (patriotism) this matter is inevitable, we will figure out how to truly implement it ("one country, two systems").

Therefore, it is certain that only patriots can participate in the governance of Hong Kong.

  [Explanation] Tan Yaozong said that the "Regulations Amendment Disturbance" that occurred in June 2019 has brought serious impacts and challenges to Hong Kong’s social stability. It was not until the promulgation and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020 that Hong Kong’s society gradually returned to stability. Here comes a major turning point from chaos to governance.

  [Concurrent] Tan Yaozong, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and consultant of the Hong Kong Democratic Alliance for the Advancement of Hong Kong

  The National Security Protection Law. After this law took effect on July 1st last year (2020), Hong Kong society has become stable. Therefore, when the National Security Protection Law was enacted, Hong Kong society responded enthusiastically and everyone supported it.

So when I came back from Beijing, I saw that there were more than 2 million co-signed signatures, and everyone supported the National Security Law (implementation).

Everyone (you can) look back and see that from July 1st (2020) to the present, the society has been stable, and it has gradually gone from chaos to governance.

  [Commentary] Tan Yaozong emphasized that although the Hong Kong National Security Law has been promulgated and implemented, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government still needs to improve its later work, including strengthening national security education, and proposed amendments to improve arrangements for public officials covering district councilors.

  [Explanation] Tan Yaozong is also very concerned about the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong.

He said that in this year's National People's Congress, he and several DAB deputies to the Hong Kong National People's Congress and CPPCC members will submit 22 proposals and suggestions, including issues related to Hong Kong's epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic issues.

  [Concurrent] Tan Yaozong, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and consultant of the Hong Kong Democratic Alliance for the Advancement of Hong Kong

  One of the expectations in the proposal is that some Hong Kong people in the Mainland do not need to travel back to (Hong Kong) to be vaccinated in the Mainland. In addition, I hope that after the vaccination, it can be proved that the antibody has increased and the prevention goal can be achieved when we return to the Mainland. There is no need to isolate or shorten the 14-day isolation period.

  [Commentary] Tan Yaozong added that after the promulgation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, society has gradually stabilized, but the epidemic has been delayed and the economic environment has remained sluggish.

He firmly believes that with the continued support of the central government, Hong Kong will get out of the "epidemic" as soon as possible and fully recover its economy.

  [Concurrent] Tan Yaozong, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and consultant of the Hong Kong Democratic Alliance for the Advancement of Hong Kong

  Since the implementation of the National Security Law on July 1 last year, Hong Kong society has become stable.

Of course, the biggest problem is that the epidemic has not been well controlled, but with the support of the central government, we are confident that the people of Hong Kong will work together.

We will do a good job in epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic work, and everyone will strive for early clearance.

  Reporter Liang Yuan from Hong Kong

Editor in charge: [Li Ji]