On June 16, Jeremy Young Chit-on, Hong Kong Central & Western District Councillor, delivered his remarks on "Human Rights in Global Governance", a side event of the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, hosted by United Nations Association of China and Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations at Geneva.
Here is the full text of his speech:
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a fascinating piece of timing. As I share my thoughts with you today, just an hour drive away in Evian-les-Bains, the leaders of the G7 are gathering. They are sitting around discussing the "rules-based order," the future economic policy of global finance, governance and strategy.
But let us be honest about what the G7 truly represents. Born out of an oil crisis in the 1970's, it was never a committee for the world but a boardroom club for the few. Seven to be exact (used to be 8, because 7 of them decided to kick Russia out of the club in 2014). These rich, powerful, predominantly elite nations, deciding the rules of the game, as if the world is a chessboard, and they are the only players.
But take a look outside. The massive lock downs and protests that has been taking place. I was roaming around the streets of Geneva Sunday and yesterday and I saw these educated and rational individuals trying to send a clear message out, don't be exclusive, be inclusive.
We are no longer living in a unipolar world. We have firmly entered a multipolar, web-like network of nations and civilizations—a network where most, if not all, governance models, value systems, and cultural traditions should be equally respected. Not tolerated. Respected.
The Hong Kong Case Study: A Living Lab
Now, I know that speaking about "equal respect" often raises skeptical eyebrows. People ask, "Is it really possible to have two different systems work together? Is respect without conflict actually achievable?" Especially when commercial interests are at stake and we vary in size and power.
I have had the profound privilege of living in Hong Kong for many decades. I have witnessed history that answers that question with a resounding "Yes."
I was here to witness China resumes the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Think about the magnitude of that moment. How does any government—no matter how large or small—cope with suddenly being responsible for 7.5 million people? People who had lived their entire lives—generations of families—under a totally different legal, economic, and social system?
The easy path would have been force. The common path would have been assimilation.
But the wisdom that came out of Beijing was neither easy nor common. It was unprecedented. Our great Chinese leaders invented "One Country, Two Systems."
The Mechanics of Harmony
It has been 29 years since that implementation. And against every doomsayer's prediction, it has shown the world that it can work. Hong Kong is not over, Hong Kong is not dead, in fact we are doing very well thank you very much.
Let me paint you a picture of this coexistence of two systems under one country, because it is extraordinary.
We share the same ancestral roots, fly the same national flag and sing the same national anthem. But when we travel, we use different passports. We use the same written language (that is, Chinese), but a different dialect. We use different currencies. We operate under a different set of laws. We have different tax sysems. And for those who notice the tiny details—yes, we even drive on the other side of the road.
Make no mistake: It is not perfect, and it takes continuous effort, fine-tuning, and evolution every single day. At its core, this system respects everyone's fundamental rights while clearly recognizing that rights are not unlimited and must be exercised in accordance with the law.
The Results: Proof in the Numbers
And with years of endeavor under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong have become even better. In particular, the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has played a pivotal role in restoring social stability, safeguarding national security, and creating a secure environment for economic prosperity and people's livelihood.
Hong Kong is one of the safest and most free societies in the entire world. Our economy has grown steadily since the return of sovereignty, averaging roughly 3% annually. Our stock exchange is ranked 6th in the world by market cap, and number one in the world for IPO value.
Just recently, according to the Financial Times, Hong Kong has officially overtaken Switzerland as the hub for global offshore wealth.
Our unemployment rate remains stubbornly below 4%, regardless of economic cycles. Our education system has become much more internationally friendly—over 50 international schools designed for expat families. All eight of our universities are in the top 100 in Asia, with the University of Hong Kong ranked 2nd in Asia and 11th in the world by QS. And most recently the government has increased the quota for non local students to study at our universities to be as high as 50% For those thinking about where to continue your education after secondary school? You are welcome.
The Universal Lesson
In summary, Hong Kong has truly benefited from operating a different system, whilst firmly being part of the same country.
So, if Hong Kong can contribute just one small thing to the global progress of human rights—to the progress of governance—it is this:
If different systems can thrive under one country, so should different countries thrive together on one planet.
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