•The people enjoy more extensive democratic rights and freedoms than at any other time in its history.
•Xi defended his vision of the "one country, two systems" framework against accusations by the US, UK and others that Beijing has undermined the freedoms and autonomy promised to Hong Kong for 50 years.
Image: Reuters
July 1 marked a quarter century since Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the swearing-in ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) led by the new Chief Executive John Lee.
As a result of both geopolitical and strategic reasons, this event captured the attention of China’s friends and foes around the world.
HKSAR has gone through an extraordinary journey since the British relinquished administration of the territory on July 1, 1997 and returned it to the embrace of China the motherland. The region has undergone tremendous challenges and growth at the same time, which reflects its “one-country, two systems” mode of governance.
Since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has joined the remarkable journey toward the great renewal of the Chinese nation. As a special administrative region directly under the Central Government, Hong Kong has been re-integrated into China's national governance system. The Central Government exercises jurisdiction over Hong Kong in accordance with China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and corresponding systems and institutions have been set up for the special administrative region.
Hong Kong's ties with the mainland have grown increasingly close. Hong Kongers have played an active part in China's reform, opening-up and modernisation drive and made their unique and important contribution to this endeavour. They have ever stronger confidence in China's development and national renewal, and share with the people on the mainland the dignity and honor of the country.
Since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has maintained prosperity and stability. It has kept its distinct features and strengths. Its allure of being a vibrant metropolis where East meets West has remained as strong as ever. Under the practice of "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong has retained its previous capitalist system and way of life, and its laws have remained basically unchanged.
Xi also emphasized that Beijing has "comprehensive jurisdiction" over Hong Kong, and that residents of the territory should respect Chinese leadership, even as Beijing allows regions like Hong Kong and Macau to maintain their capitalist system and a degree of autonomy.
The people of Hong Kong now run their local affairs within the purview of autonomy of the HKSAR. The people enjoy more extensive democratic rights and freedoms than at any other time in its history. Having withstood the impact of the SARS epidemic and lately the Covid-19 pandemic, Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, Hong Kong has emerged stronger as an international financial, shipping and trading center. Indeed, it has been consistently rated by many international institutions as one of the freest economies and most competitive regions in the world.
Delivering his address in-person during the occasion held in Hong Kong, Chinese President Xi Jinping talked at length about the “One Country" and "Two Systems" imperative in ensuring that HKSAR remains resilient in the face of both internal and external shocks. He defended his vision of the "one country, two systems" framework against accusations by the US, UK and others that Beijing has undermined the freedoms and autonomy promised to Hong Kong for 50 years.
Any attempt to endanger China's sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the Central Government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the National Security Law (NSL) or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that is absolutely impermissible.
Hong Kong's return completed a major transformation of its constitutional order. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the Basic Law of the HKSAR and NSL together form the constitutional basis of the HKSAR. The Basic Law provides for the system and policies that should be practiced in the HKSAR, codifies into law and makes institutional arrangement for the principle of "One Country, Two Systems", and provides legal safeguards for its practice.
In observing the constitutional order prescribed by the Constitution, Basic Law and NSL, it is important both for the Central Government to exercise power in accordance with the law and for the HKSAR to fulfill its own responsibilities as the main actor.
The concept of "One Country, Two Systems" was advanced to achieve two goals: namely, peacefully resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and maintaining the region's status as an international financial, shipping and trading centre in order to promote further growth.
Hong Kong enjoys the backing of the motherland and is open to the world. Therefore, it has many favourable conditions for development and distinctive competitive advantages. In particular, China's continuous and rapid development over the years provides an invaluable opportunity, an inexhaustible source of strength and broad space for Hong Kong's development.
It is imperative to always maintain a harmonious and stable social environment. The concept of "One Country, Two Systems" gives expression to the vision of peace and harmony in the Chinese culture. It embodies a very important tenet, namely, seeking broad common ground while setting aside major differences.
Ensuring the continued success of the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong is part and parcel of the Chinese Dream. A cause with public participation and public support is sure to achieve success. Hong Kong has gained a wealth of experience over the past 25 years since its return; it has a solid foundation for achieving further development, and it enjoys the concerted dedication of the HKSAR government and people in all the sectors.
The writer is the Executive Director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi based research and development communication think tank.