On December 22, the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong held a white paper briefing on the “Democratic Development of Hong Kong under “One Country, Two Systems””. Commissioner Liu Guangyuan introduced the significance of the white paper issued by the Chinese government, reviewed the historical process of Hong Kong’s democratic development, clarified the central government’s firm position in supporting Hong Kong’s democratic development, warned external forces not to interfere with and undermine Hong Kong’s democratic development, and looked forward to the bright future of Hong Kong’s democratic development prospect. More than 120 representatives from foreign consulates in Hong Kong, chambers of commerce in Hong Kong, Chinese and foreign media, Hong Kong law and youth circles attended the event.
Commissioner Liu said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has recently successfully held the first legislative council election after the new electoral system has been improved. At this time, the Chinese government issued the “Democratic Development of Hong Kong under “One Country, Two Systems”” white paper aimed at addressing a series of important issues related to the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” and the development of Hong Kong’s democracy, and vigorously countering the interference of internal and external anti-China forces in Hong Kong on the development of Hong Kong’s democracy. Destroy Hong Kong’s democratic future development and strengthen the confidence of all walks of life in the future development of Hong Kong’s democracy. Commissioner Liu focused on four issues in conjunction with the white paper:
First, who is the founder and promoter of democracy in Hong Kong?Commissioner Liu pointed out that Hong Kong has no democracy under British colonial rule. The Chinese have long been excluded from the governance structure of the British Hong Kong authorities, and their demands for democracy have been rejected by the British government. Not only did Britain not bring any real democracy to Hong Kong, but it also laid the roots for Hong Kong’s democratic development after its return to the motherland. The return to the motherland ushered in a new era of democracy in Hong Kong. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government are the designers, founders, promoters, and defenders of the democratic system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region jointly constitute the constitutional foundation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and comprehensively construct the democratic system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Since the return of Hong Kong, the central government has always firmly supported the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to develop democracy in an orderly manner in accordance with the principle of “one country, two systems” and the Basic Law. Did not stop. The channels and space for political participation of all Hong Kong residents have been greatly expanded, and the democratic rights they have enjoyed are unprecedented. Hong Kong’s democratic development has made all-round major achievements.
Second, who is the saboteur of Hong Kong’s democratic development?Commissioner Liu pointed out that Hong Kong’s anti-China forces have continuously challenged the authority of the Constitution and the Basic Law for a period of time, vainly attempting to seize the SAR governance power, impact the constitutional order of the SAR, undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong, and implement all kinds of things that endanger national security and damage the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Activity. At the same time, some external forces blatantly supported the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong, cheered for the “dark violence” forces, attacked and discredited the central government’s righteous measures to bring chaos in Hong Kong, and imposed unreasonable pressure and sanctions on the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Facts have repeatedly shown that the anti-China forces that disrupt Hong Kong and the external forces behind it are the chief culprits hindering Hong Kong’s democratic development. Individual countries impose their own political systems and values on others, promote “democratic transformation”, plan “color revolutions”, wantonly interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and even subvert the power of other countries. The 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, will never accept this. “Democracy Trap”! Any attempt to intervene in Hong Kong affairs and use Hong Kong to control China will be doomed to be futile in the face of the steel will of the Chinese nation to defend the interests of national sovereignty, security and development, and will be met with a powerful counterattack.
Third, what does the new electoral system mean to Hong Kong’s democracy?Commissioner Liu said that the central government will assess the situation, make decisive decisions, formulate and implement the Hong Kong National Security Law, improve the Hong Kong election system, implement the principle of “patriots ruling Hong Kong”, support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to improve the public official swearing system, and promote the transformation of the situation in Hong Kong from chaos to serious governance. The turning point and democratic development are back on the right track. The improved election system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region not only fully embodies the requirements of the principle of “patriots ruling Hong Kong”, repairs loopholes and defects in the electoral system, and achieves tolerance and openness. It is not only conducive to promoting good governance and governance, but also conducive to the maintenance and realization of the vastness of Hong Kong. The democratic rights of residents have laid a firm foundation for the long-term and healthy development of Hong Kong’s democracy. In the 7th Legislative Council election, the composition of newly elected members was diverse, balanced, professional, colorful, and completely new. It fully embodies the broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition of the election, and is the optimization of Hong Kong’s democratic system. Upgrading and advancing with the times have brought an unprecedented new outlook and new atmosphere to Hong Kong’s political life. The principle of “patriots ruling Hong Kong” is the meaning of “one country, two systems”. The new election system has room for fully tolerating different political opinions, and there is no “uniformity” problem, but it does not allow anti-China chaos in Hong Kong to enter the governance structure.
Fourth, what are the future prospects of Hong Kong’s democratic development?Commissioner Liu pointed out that “One Country, Two Systems” is not only the best solution to the problems left over from history, but also the best system for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability after its return, providing a fundamental guarantee for Hong Kong’s democratic development. Hong Kong’s democratic development path must accurately grasp the relationship between “one country” and “two systems”, insist that “one country” is the prerequisite and foundation of “two systems”, must adhere to the rule of law, act in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, and handle things correctly. The relationship between the central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region insists on the unification of the central government’s comprehensive governance power and the high degree of autonomy of the Special Administrative Region. The central government will promote Hong Kong’s integration into the overall development of the country, and support Hong Kong to carry out extensive exchanges and cooperation with countries and regions to achieve complementary advantages and coordinated development.
Commissioner Liu pointed out that the practice of democracy in China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has proved that there is no fixed and unified model for democracy, and there is no universal democratic formula. The essence of democracy lies in the fact that the people are the masters of the country. The history of Hong Kong’s democratic development has shown us that it’s time to get out of the “Western democratic myth.” We firmly believe that with the full support of the central government, the advantages of the “one country, two systems” system, and the continuous improvement of Hong Kong’s characteristic democratic path, Hong Kong’s road to prosperity and development will become wider and wider, and the “one country, two systems” will surely become more stable and far-reaching. Hong Kong is bound to usher in a better tomorrow.
Participants responded enthusiastically and positively commented on the significance of the release of the white paper. Some foreign heads of business associations in Hong Kong and Hong Kong youth representatives accepted media interviews after the briefing. They believed that the briefing would help to fully understand where Hong Kong’s democracy comes from and where it goes, and enhance confidence in the future development of Hong Kong. It is believed that under the framework of “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong will continue to become a vibrant city of political democracy, tolerance and harmony, social stability, and economic prosperity, creating a better environment for Hong Kong citizens and foreign companies to live and work in Hong Kong.
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