Anti-China forces no chance in DC polls: liaison chief
A mainland official on Tuesday said people who are not patriots should not be allowed to take part in elections, let alone those opposing China and disrupting the SAR.  The director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong, Zheng Yanxiong, also told a seminar that the main principle for improving district governance is to fully implement the idea of "patriots governing Hong Kong" in district council elections, to put a complete end to anti-China disruptors using the polls to enter the city's administrative system. "There are recognised standards in determining who is a patriot... If a person isn't a patriot, or is an anti-China disruptor, that person should not even be eligible to run in elections," he said.  One's words, as well as actions, must be looked at when determining who is a patriot, Zheng said, adding that it would be impossible for anyone who has been against China and causing trouble in Hong Kong to transform into patriots overnight. At the same seminar, Chief Executive John Lee said requiring district council hopefuls to seek nominations from local advisory bodies has kept those who are not patriots out of the election system.  He noted that would-be candidates came from various backgrounds, but none of them were anti-China forces intending to endanger national security through the councils.  The consultant of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, Lau Siu-kai, said the definition of a patriot has become clearer. "The clear definition of a patriot will help reshape or change Hong Kong's initial political landscape, so that all those who are interested in taking part in politics will have to re-adjust their political stance to meet the requirements of being a patriot," he said.