Editor's note: Starting from today, I will launch a series based on the written interview between Wen Wei Po reporters and Mr. Grenville Cross. Mr. Cross is a British barrister who was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Hong Kong on 15 October 1997, and held this post for over 12 years.
This series will include Mr. Cross discussing the development of Hong Kong's legal system and the impact of "One Country, Two Systems": from his personal experience, he describes the evolution of Hong Kong's legal system since 1978, particularly the changes after the 1997 handover. He emphasizes how the "One Country, Two Systems" policy has promoted the internationalization and professionalization of the legal framework, as well as its growing influence on the global stage.
In the second episode, Mr. Cross explores economic growth and internationalization: discussing the steady growth of Hong Kong's economy, especially the increase in foreign companies and its status as a financial hub. He mentions various international conferences and organizations held in Hong Kong, highlighting its active participation in global business and finance.
In the third episode, Mr. Cross addresses resisting external challenges and maintaining legal independence: elaborating on how Hong Kong upholds the rule of law and judicial independence in the face of internal and external challenges. He stresses that Hong Kong's judicial system remains fair and professional even under pressure, earning the trust of the international community.
I have lived in Hong Kong since 1978, and have witnessed at first hand the huge progress it has made, particularly after the reunification. Both before and after 1997, I have participated in the development of its legal system, and have seen how the One Country, Two Systems policy (OCTS) has advanced its legal arrangements. From small beginnings in 1978, when the legal system was working well but introverted and unsophisticated, I have seen it develop into one of the most advanced in the Asia-Pacific region, with its judges, prosecutors, and lawyers achieving global standards. For example, before 1997, our prosecutors had almost no dealings with their counterparts elsewhere, whether in China or internationally, but that all changed after 1997. After reunification, I was closely involved in forging links with prosecutors on the Chinese mainland and in Macao, as well as with global prosecutors, which not only facilitated our operations but also enhanced our profile. In 2001, for example, I led the DOJ's Prosecutions Division into the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), as its 75th organizational member, and this enabled us to develop useful ties with prosecutors around the world and to develop our anti-crime strategies. The Basic Law enables Hong Kong to participate in international organizations, and when we hosted the IAP's Annual Conference at HKCEC in 2007, prosecutors from around the world visited Hong Kong and were able to see for themselves how well the OCTS policy was operating.
Although foreigners like me faced prejudice before 1997 (many foreign civil servants, including prosecutors, were localised out of their jobs by Chris Patten's government), all that changed after the reunification. There can be no doubt that Patten's localization policy was short-sighted and weakened the civil service at a crucial time. It also offended the equality of treatment provisions of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, which the British had themselves enacted in 1991. Although Hong Kong was my home and I was a permanent resident, I was told by Patten's government in 1994 that I could not be promoted in the then Legal Department (even though I was Deputy DPP) because of my race, which was a big blow; I thought my career was over. However, once CH Tung's government arrived, things changed, and the discrimination ended. It was made clear that, under the OCTS policy, people like me who loved Hong Kong, lived here, and were committed to its success would have an assured future in the SAR. To my surprise, I was then, on merit, appointed the first Director of Public Prosecutions of the HKSAR. Although this amazed some people, it was a graphic illustration of Deng Xiaoping's view that "It doesn't matter if the cat is black or white, so long as it catches the mice." My appointment sent out a powerful message that foreigners had a big role to play in the new Hong Kong, that Hong Kong was an international city, and that everybody who wanted to make a success of the OCTS policy was welcome in both the public and private sectors.
Although Hong Kong has had its fair share of ups and downs since 1997, the OCTS policy has guided its fortunes throughout. Whereas the post-1997 reunification settlement was repeatedly challenged (by political saboteurs, China-hostile fanatics and foreign agents), notably in 2014 (street occupations), 2016 (Mongkok riots) and 2019 (rampant violence), Hong Kong emerged stronger from its experiences. The Basic Law sustained it in good times and bad, and the Central Authorities' support was unflagging.
(Reporter: Lexy Lu | Editor: Liu Yu)
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