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Western media have rushed to point accusing fingers as China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), began to overhaul Hong Kong's electoral system. They have said the overhaul is a violation of the Basic Law and the "one country, two systems" principle.

These media should be reminded that article 31 of China's Constitution stipulates that, "The systems to be instituted in special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People's Congress in the light of specific conditions." Article 62 also says that the NPC decides on the establishment of special administrative regions and the systems to be instituted there.

Meanwhile, article 12 of the Basic Law reads, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be a local administrative region of the People's Republic of China, which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government." This makes it explicit that Hong Kong is an integral part of China and is under the jurisdiction of the central government. In other words, Hong Kong is not a country, but a local region. 

Therefore, the decision of the NPC to improve Hong Kong's electoral system adheres to the Constitution and the Basic Law. 

The democratic development of Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" is no different from the West in a certain sense - the democratic development shall not endanger the country's sovereignty and national interests. But the West adopts a double standard: if Western countries can safeguard their national security, why shouldn't China? By improving Hong Kong's electoral system, we can fill the election loopholes and prevent external forces and their agents in Hong Kong and even secessionist forces from challenging China's sovereignty and interfering in Hong Kong affairs via the electoral system. 

With electoral reforms, Hong Kong will realize the mission of "patriots governing Hong Kong." This is in line with the principles underpinned in the Basic Law. In the 1980s, while in the process of formulating the "one country, two systems" principle and making the Basic Law, former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping repeatedly said that, "some requirements or qualifications should be established with regard to the administration of Hong Kong affairs by the people of Hong Kong. It must be required that patriots form the main body of administrators, that is, of the future government of the Hong Kong special region." The overhaul of the electoral system aims at not only safeguarding China's sovereignty and national security, but also improving Hong Kong's democratic practices. 

When the Western media report about Hong Kong, they view it from the perspective of an independent political entity in an attempt to separate Hong Kong from China. But this is totally wrong - the basis of their reporting is erroneous. 

"No side cares more about the city's democratic development, stability and prosperity than the Chinese central government," said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a Sunday press conference on the sidelines of the two sessions in Beijing. 

Indeed, it is the central government that wants to fully implement the Basic Law and maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Some external forces hoped to destabilize China by making use of Hong Kong and prevent China from its rapid development. In other words, their aim is to consolidate their hegemony in the world. With the central government's determination to restore the normal functions of Hong Kong's electoral system, Hong Kong should not, and will not, become such a place to be exploited. 

The article was compiled by Global Times reporter Wang Wenwen based on an interview with Maggie Chan Man-ki, an NPC deputy from Hong Kong. wangwenwen@globaltimes.com.cn