Regina Ip Brushes Off Passport Declaration Worries

New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip says she doesn’t understand why people who would like to be members of the Election Committee (EC) would be upset about having to say whether or not they hold foreign passports.

Ip and other lawmakers and local delegates to the national parliament and advisory bodies – who sit on the EC – have been receiving their declaration forms.

Speaking on RTHK’s Hong Kong Today, Ip said the EC is a very powerful body which nominates and chooses the chief executive and lawmakers, and therefore it makes sense to make sure that no members have a right of abode outside China.

“I think it makes sense for the authorities to know whether you are really wholly committed to Hong Kong,” she said.

“In accordance of the principle of patriots governing Hong Kong, you don’t want people who only pay lip service to the country, but actually have applied under the BN(O) route and could leave any time.”

She said she doesn’t think the requirement will scare people off joining the committee, and she doesn't understand why anyone would be worried about making such a declaration.

When asked why the passports of spouses are of concern, and whether the passports of children should be considered as well, she said: “Doesn’t this go to show how restrained the authorities are, they’re only concerned about spouses.”

Ip's comments come after the Chief Executive said on Tuesday that EC candidates have to declare whether they or their spouses hold BN(O) or other foreign passports.

Carrie Lam said this is “very basic” information, and the requirement is in line with a decision by the National People's Congress that Hong Kong must have a “well-instituted system to review the eligibility of the candidates”.