Basic garantee for HK's prosperity & stability: Commentary

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, February 22, 2004

Basic garantee for HK's prosperity & stability: Commentary

The "People's Daily" carries a commentary on Friday, Feb.20, pointing out the principle of "one country, two systems" is the fundamental guarantee of Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

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Comrade Deng Xiaoping published his famous talks on "One Country, Two Systems" in June 1984. At the advent of the 14th anniversary of the promulgation of the "Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China", a review of the Talks of Deng Xiaoping and a series of his important expositions concerning "One Country, Two Systems" is of great significance to our correct grasp of the essence and scientific connotations of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and to guiding the practice of this policy.

Deng explicitly pointed out, "One Country, Two Systems" means that within the People's Republic of China, the main body of the State practices socialism, while Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan practice capitalism, with an aim to realize peaceful reunification of the motherland and maintaining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. That is to say, "One Country, Two Systems" means that on the premise of one country, we institute two systems, to identify the "One Country, Two Systems", we must first recognize "One Country", i.e., the People's Republic of China, "without a sense of confidence in the People's Republic of China and in the Chinese government, everything else would be out of the question." Recognition of the State means earnestly and sincerely supporting the motherland in resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and in safeguarding the unity and territorial integrity of the country. This is the most fundamental norm which allows of not the least ambiguity and vacillation at any times. Identification of the country also requires recognition of the country's main body being socialism. This is also an indispensable premise, any change in the Communist Party-led socialism with Chinese characteristics "would make Hong Kong's prosperity and stability fall through."

In the Talks, Comrade Deng Xiaoping also clearly set forth the boundary line and standard for "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong". This means that "to put Hong Kong under the administration of the Hong Kong people", it is essential for the region to be governed by Hong Kong people with patriots as the mainstay. Regarding the question "What is a patriot?" He said, "the criterion for a patriot is respecting his own nation, sincerely supporting the motherland in resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and doing nothing harmful to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability." This criterion clearly shows that love of the country and love of Hong Kong are an integral whole and inseparable. Article 104 of the Basic Law stipulates that the chief executive, leading officials, administrative conference members, legislative council members, judges of courts at all levels and other judicial personnel, while assuming office, must vow to support the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China and pledge loyalty to this region. That is a concrete expression and legalization of the requirement set for love of the country and love of Hong Kong. Anyone already in the ranks of people running Hong Kong or anybody with a wish to join the ranks should examine and check oneself against this criterion and set a strict demand on oneself. Only by doing so can they live up to the great expectations of the people of the whole country, including Hong Kong compatriots.

To comprehensively and correctly understand and implement the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, it is necessary to unify "One Country" with "Two Systems" and "love the country" with "love Hong Kong", respect for Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy with safeguard of State sovereignty, and retention of capitalism in Hong Kong with socialism of the main body of the country. Only in this way is it possible to effectively safeguard the well-being of Hong Kong compatriots and conform to the long-term interests of the State and the entire people.

Since Hong Kong's return to the embrace of the motherland, the Central Government has been unswervingly implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and strictly acting upon the Basic Law. The broad masses of Hong Kong compatriots, in the status as masters of their own affairs, enjoy unprecedented democratic rights. With the all-out support of the Central Government and the interior of the motherland, Hong Kong conquered the impacts of the Asian financial crisis and various other risks and challenges and continued to retain its status as the international financial, trading and shipping center. Practice proves that the "One Country, Two Systems" principle has strong vitality. Today, republishing Comrade Deng Xiaoping's Talks given 20 years ago once again demonstrates to the world's people the central authorities' strong determination in carrying out the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, it is all the more aimed at enabling every one to have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of and constantly pressing ahead with the great practice of this principle.

Although the road traversed by Hong Kong after its homecoming is by no means plain sailing, and it would still encounter various risks and challenges in the days to come, with the great socialist motherland as the strong backing and with the unity and enterprising spirit of the Hong Kong compatriots who love the country and love Hong Kong, so long as we always uphold the basic principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and comprehensively implement various stipulations of the Basic Law, Hong Kong will certainly be able to overcome all difficulties and dangers in their way forward and maintain long-term prosperity and stability.

By People's Daily Online

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