The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will co-operate with and support the central authorities in improving its political structure, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said today.

Mr Cheung made the statement at a media session this afternoon, during which he commented on Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong's remarks during an online forum earlier.

He noted the requirement that people vested with governing powers and responsibilities be patriotic is a very common and fundamental principle.

"Mr Xia clearly reiterated that patriots governing Hong Kong is a fundamental principle instrumental to the full and steadfast implementation of 'one country, two systems'.

"The Hong Kong SAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. It is a local administrative region which enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the Central People's Government.

"Under this constitutional order and political structure, it is fully justified and indeed a matter of cause to require people vested with governing powers and responsibilities to be patriotic, to be fully committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, development interests, as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong."

Mr Cheung also pointed out that the need to improve Hong Kong's electoral system, as mentioned by Mr Xia, is pressing and necessary.

"The Hong Kong SAR Government totally respects the fact that it lies within the purview of the central authorities in improving the political structure of Hong Kong."