The patriotism debate flared hotter yesterday when Tsang Hin-chi, a Hong Kong member of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, openly named several democrats as non-patriots.

He said those who opposed Article 23 were not unpatriotic. But those who organized mass rallies against Article 23 were definitely non-patriots as "they opposed (safeguarding) national security".

"Diehard democrats like Szeto Wah, Martin Lee and Cheung Man-kwong are not really promoting democracy but only using the name of democracy (to advance their cause)," Tsang said.

He made the remark after meeting with the Task Force on Constitutional Development in his capacity as president of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

"Based on what they have done so far, I absolutely disagree that they are patriots," he said.

But one could not call those who did not support Article 23 legislation as unpatriotic. "It is a very complicated issue," he said.

In response, Szeto Wah said he was more patriotic than Tsang although he had no money to invest (on the mainland).

"I have said that genuine patriots are in support of democracy, and those who genuinely support democracy are patriotic too."

Talking about constitutional development, Tsang objected to universal suffrage for the election of the chief executive in 2007 because it is not the right time and not in line with the actual situation in Hong Kong.

"We must have the approval of the central government before we can start the constitutional review," he said.

Tsang Tak-sing, a member of the Central Policy Unit of the SAR government and a NPC deputy, joined in the fray, saying: "The majority of Hong Kong people are patriotic.

"But there is the minority who are not patriotic or even betraying the country."

They include those who do not admit they are Chinese people, betray the country's interests and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, or refuse to accept the reality of the handover after Hong Kong was reunited with the motherland.

But those calling for universal suffrage and taking part in the July 1 procession were not unpatriotic as patriotic people had the right to democracy, he said.

The taskforce yesterday met several academics and think-tanks.

Anthony Cheung, chairman of Synergynet, said he told the taskforce that there were clear voices in favour of universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008.

On patriotism, he said it would be hard to define who is patriotic and who is not as that could be very subjective and sentimental.

Joseph Cheng, convener of Power for Democracy, urged the taskforce to issue a firm timetable. He feared that if there were no universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008, it would result in a "lose-lose" situation.

Cheng said that discussion on patriotism should be avoided or it would further polarize society.

(China Daily HK Edition February 14, 2004)