e-magazine
Between War and Peace
With lessons of history in mind, efforts should be focused on defending peace in Asia and around the world
Current Issue
· Table of Contents
· Editor's Desk
· Previous Issues
· Subscribe to Mag
Subscribe Now >>
Expert's View
World
Nation
Business
Finance
Market Watch
Legal-Ease
North American Report
Forum
Government Documents
Expat's Eye
Health
Sci-Tech
Lifestyle
Books
Movies
Backgrounders
Special
Photo Gallery
Blogs
Reader's Service
Learning with
'Beijing Review'
E-mail us
RSS Feeds
PDF Edition
Web-magazine
Reader's Letters
Make Beijing Review your homepage
Archives
Cover Stories Series 2014> Democratic Development in Hong Kong> Archives
UPDATED: June 16, 2014 NO. 25 JUNE 19, 2014
The Right Way to Succeed
A proper understanding of the central authority's policy is key to Hong Kong's development
By Yuan Yuan
Share

"'High degree of autonomy' does not mean complete autonomy on the part of Hong Kong. So this is a high degree of autonomy as stipulated in the Basic Law, and it has been in the Basic Law since it was promulgated in 1990," HKSAR Chief Executive Leung noted.

The white paper stresses that the most important task in upholding the "one country" principle would be to maintain China's sovereignty, security and developmental interests, and respect the country's fundamental system as well as its other systems and principles. The "two systems" concept means that within the "one country" of China, the main body of the country practices socialism, while Hong Kong and some other regions practice capitalism.

"A socialist system by the mainland is the prerequisite and guarantee for Hong Kong's practicing capitalism and maintaining its stability and prosperity," says the white paper. "The principle of 'one country' must be combined with respect for the difference of 'two systems.' In no circumstance should we do one thing and neglect the other."

The white paper also points out that the Central Government continues its support for the HKSAR to gradually and orderly develop a system of democratic governance that suits the conditions of the region, as provided for in the provisions of the Basic Law.

"The ultimate aim of selection of the chief executive will be one by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures and the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage," the white paper says.

It adds that this commitment by the Central Government has been incorporated into the Basic Law and its relevant resolutions by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

The timetable for universal suffrage in the HKSAR has already been set. A decision was made on December 29, 2007, during the 31st Session of the 10th NPC Standing Committee "that the election of the fifth chief executive of the HKSAR in 2017 may be implemented by the method of universal suffrage; that after the chief executive is selected by universal suffrage, the election of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR may be implemented by the method of electing all the members by universal suffrage." From December 4, 2013 to May 3, 2014, the HKSAR Government initiated a five-month public consultation on the election of the chief executive in 2017 and that of the Legislative Council in 2016, starting the relevant procedures for introducing universal suffrage.

According to the white paper, those who govern Hong Kong "should above all be patriotic."

Qiang Shigong, Director of the Center for Hong Kong and Macao Studies at Peking University, told Xinhua News Agency that this statement was a reply to the argument raised by some Hong Kongers that there is no legitimacy to demanding the chief executive to be patriotic.

Patriotism is a basic ethic for politicians in any place in the world, including in China, Qiang said.

The white paper also says that it is necessary to stay alert to attempts by external parties to use Hong Kong to interfere in China's domestic affairs. Preventing and repelling attempts made by the small number of people who act in collusion with outside forces to interfere with the implementation of "one country, two systems" policy in Hong Kong is crucial, it adds.

"Firmly advancing the cause of the "one country, two systems" policy is the common desire of all Chinese people, those in Hong Kong included. It is in the fundamental interests of the country and people, the general and long-term interests of Hong Kong and the interests of foreign investors," said Zou Pingxue, deputy head of the Center for Basic Laws of Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, Shenzhen University.

Email us at: yuanyuan@bjreview.com

Hong Kong in Numbers

- The world's ninth largest trading economy, having trading ties with almost every country and region in the world

- One of the world's largest container shipping ports and fourth largest ship-registration center

- The world's third largest destination for foreign direct investment

- Home to the world's sixth largest securities market and fifth largest foreign exchange market

- Home to one of the world's busiest airports—the Hong Kong International Airport, which has led the world for many years in terms of freight volume and ranks fifth in terms of passenger transport volume

(Source: The Practice of the "One Country, Two Systems" Policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

   Previous   1   2  



 
Top Story
-Green Drive
-Catering to the New Normal
-Information Transformation
-Protecting the Third Pole
-Private Pioneers
Related Stories
-Full Text: The Practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' Policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
 
Most Popular
在线翻译
About BEIJINGREVIEW | About beijingreview.com | Rss Feeds | Contact us | Advertising | Subscribe & Service | Make Beijing Review your homepage
Copyright Beijing Review All right reserved