Wang Linggui: Central government respects high degree of autonomy of HK

Wang Linggui, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said that the "one country, two systems" is a complete system whose key is to grasp the relationship between "one country" and "two systems".

To safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country is the highest principle of the "one country, two systems", he added.

Under this principle, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy.

Wang stressed that the power must be firmly in the hands of patriots, which is very common in any political systems in the world. Therefore, "patriots administering HK" is a necessary requirement to ensure the long-term stability of HK, he said.

After the handover, the people of HK have become the masters of their own land, and the Communist Party of China has always supported the development of democracy in HK, said Wang.

Wang pointed out that the three elections in HK have demonstrated broad representation, political inclusiveness and balanced participation. 

Wang said that the Central Authorities will continue to support HK's initiative to dovetail with the national strategy, to help HK give full play to its unique advantages, and release the enormous creativity and development vitality of HK society.