An important meeting on Hong Kong's constitutional reform process was held in Shenzhen last Thursday and Friday. It included Li Fei, deputy secretary-general of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) and chairman of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee, Wang Guangya, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and Zhang Rongshun, vice-chairman of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee.

At the meeting, Li Fei criticized the "Occupy Central" campaign for its plan to paralyze Central and even launch a protest at the Legislative Council Complex. This will undermine the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, unless the central government and the HKSAR government meet their demands. Li then highlighted three key factors that all stakeholders accept regarding universal suffrage in Hong Kong: "principles, responsibilities and cooperation".

The principles are that the Chief Executive (CE) election by universal suffrage must be conducted in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant decisions by the NPCSC. The "international standards" and "public nomination", advocated by the opposition, violate the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and bypass the legal framework provided by the Basic Law. They are unacceptable because they are unconstitutional.

Responsibilities refer to the obligations and duties carried out by the CE of the HKSAR, who is required to be a person who "loves the country as well as Hong Kong".

We need to seek cooperation to fulfill the common desires of Hong Kong society for universal suffrage. This can be achieved through the joint efforts of every one cooperating with the central authorities and the Hong Kong government. All parties across the political spectrum in this city therefore need to work together and put aside past differences and suspicions. Only then can there finally be an end to the political bickering which has polarized society for so long. Then Hong Kong can focus on economic development and encourage social harmony among its citizens.

The central government has long emphasized its willingness, sincerity and commitment to universal suffrage by holding meetings and conferences. Zhang Xiaoming has met with opposition lawmakers several times. Central government officials have repeatedly come to Hong Kong for open discussions. But no matter how many meetings or discussions are held, these officials always stand firm on one requirement: Hong Kong must be governed by patriots. This principle is unambiguous and absolutely justified. No country would allow a potential traitor to take power, just as no parent would allow a criminal with bad intentions to teach their child. The idea that Hong Kong can only be run by someone who is a patriot, therefore, is a core principle. It is one which must always be respected and upheld.

The opposition's objection to "screening" in the nomination process of the CE election by universal suffrage - supposedly to uphold some non-existent "international standards" - is ridiculous. This is because the screening mechanism is essential in all electoral systems worldwide. An election with no clear boundaries or restrictions will only lead to chaos.

The opposition parties complain that the central government places little trust in Hong Kong when it comes to electing a CE on their own. But they are wrong. This is because the election of CE - which is a matter of national security and an issue of vital concern to 7 million Hong Kong citizens - must be done correctly. There is no room for mistakes. If opposition candidates still want to stand a chance within the framework set by the central government, the only way ahead is for them to change their political position. They must become patriots who can be trusted by Hong Kong people and the central government. There is simply no way this vital principle can be conceded in any way.

The author is a veteran current affairs commentator.

(HK Edition 08/26/2014 page9)