Opinion | Xi's commitment to 'one country, two systems' makes HK a connector of East and West
By Augustus K. Yeung
Introduction
On July 1, the Chinese president visited Hong Kong, showing the city and the world how important Hong Kong is to the nation; this island in the sun will continue to shine under the safeguard of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong residents of foreign origins said, according to China Daily.
On Thursday and Friday, President Xi inspected Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland and attended the inauguration of the special administrative region's sixth-term government.
He delivered a vital speech on the significance of "one country, two systems" and the city's future development paths.
Entered HK's Three Talented "Foreigners": Zeman, Cross and Pinkstone
Business magnate Allen Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, who was among various representatives meeting with Xi on Thursday, said the Chinese president's visit show the international community how much he cares about and values Hong Kong.
Zeman said that Xi's determination to maintain the "one country, two systems" principle will enable the city to better play its role as a super-connector between the East and the West and will serve as an international financial center to attract professionals and companies worldwide.
Grenville Cross, the SAR's first director of public prosecutions, said Xi has always had the best interests of Hong Kong and all of its people at heart, and his presence for the 25th anniversary is a vivid demonstration of his support for the city and a vote of confidence in its future.
Cross noted that Xi's commitment to "one country, two systems" underscores the HKSAR's importance to the nation. "Xi rightly believes that, as China fulfills its ambitions and achieves its destiny, the HKSAR has a pivoted role to play, not only up to 2047, but also beyond."
With this policy, Hong Kong's legal system has flourished since 1997, which is of great significance for local people and the world of business. The assurance that the policy is to continue will enable Hong Kong to go from strength to strength, he said.
Mark Pinkstone, a veteran journalist and former chief information officer of the city government, said although "one country, two systems" has ensured Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, the unprecedented policy has long faced doubts and many threw obstacles in its path to thwart its success.
Xi's confidence in the practice is a strong rebuttal to the naysayers and has injected new impetus for Hong Kong society to fend off any sabotage from external forces, Pinkstone said.
He said that at the behest of foreign powers, non-patriots still endeavor to destroy Hong Kong, and provocateurs still try to expand their forces to continue their dirty work. He hopes the new government can stay alert to the hazards and firmly safeguard the city's order and peace.
What the City's Three Wise Women, Fan, Lau and Tam Said
Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, former president of Hong Kong Legislative Council, said, "President Xi's speech conformed to Hong Kong's present situation. One thing that stuck in my mind is that he said Hong Kong can't afford any more turmoil. He also explained to us the future that we could have."
"The speech recognized what we were able to do in the past and gave us the confidence to develop more. Xi feels Hong Kong should be able to do it. I think we should also try to show the world that he is right."
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, the first woman convener of the Executive Council of HKSAR, agreeably said, "Xi's remarks removed any shades of gray and set a definitive tone for the future of "one country, two systems" as some Hong Kong people are worried about whether the principle will end after 2047."
Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy director of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said, "Xi's speech pointed the way forward for Hong Kong and encouraged the city to stay true to the original aspirations of "one country, two systems".
She said Hong Kong's democracy began after the handover in 1997, when the city has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy, with Hong Kong people administering the city.
Only when governing power is kept firmly in the hands of patriots can the central government's overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong be effectively implemented, with the city achieving long-term stability and prosperity and solving its deep-seated issues, Tam said with an air of authority.
Conclusion
President Xi set the tone for the future of "one country, two systems", and showed the residents of the city his firm commitment to this important governance principle, which unfortunately had not been properly and sufficiently put in practice before this historic visit.
With the obstacles that had been standing in the way of Hong Kong's progress gone with the headwind, the national security law installed, and the concept of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in place, the city can now start its long march forward – to 2047 and beyond.
Although Hong Kong still has tasks such as a national education curriculum and a revamped civil service culture, etc. that match the tone-and-touch of the motherland – with the "political virus" gone – the city can now genuinely begin to make its mark, to rival Shenzhen and Shanghai, and to shine together with Xi's pet project, the Hainan Economic Free Port.
It is earnestly hoped that the newly installed SAR administration of John Lee can soon start to forcefully lead the city; begin the metaphoric westward Long March that has been awaiting Hong Kong – so as to match and keep pace with Beijing's political and economic strides and strategies. This is Hong Kong's destiny!
The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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