2014-08-29
HKT 13:21
A former deputy director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, says it's perfectly justified to require chief executive hopefuls to be patriotic.
Chen Zuo'er told RTHK the United States would not allow terrorists to serve as governors.
In an exclusive interview with RTHK, Mr Chen, who also heads a national-level think tank on Hong Kong, said many pan-democrats love the mainland and Hong Kong.
But he stopped short of commenting on whether Audrey Eu and Emily Lau, the chairwomen of the Civic and Demoratic Parties, fulfilled the requirement.
He also said it was normal to want a patriot for a leader, saying the US would never choose a terrorist a state governor.
He reiterated Beijing had shown the greatest sincerity and patience on matters related to Hong Kong's political reform.
He believed many Hong Kong people were touched by Beijing's sincerity.
Meanwhile, the mainland tabloid Global Times said it's common sense that someone who opposes Beijing cannot become Hong Kong's chief executive.
In an editorial, it said the central government was not scared of the Occupy Central campaign and students' plan to boycott classes.
http://m.rthk.hk/news/20140829/1033358.htm
