In two important speeches recently – one to convey the spirit of the Communist Party of China’s 20th National Congress and the other on the nation’s Constitution – the message from Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is loud and clear.
Besides persuading Hong Kong people to study and implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, he was able to convince the HKSAR there’re new strategic opportunities for the city in getting itself integrated into the nation’s development and play its role in building a modernized China.
What happened in the Chinese mainland in the past decade might have been beyond public discussion in the city. In a speech at a session in Hong Kong to share the spirit of the CPC’s 20th National Congress and at another organized by the HKSAR government, Luo went to great lengths trying to bridge the information gap concerning the great changes that have taken place in the country since 2012.
The HKSAR should play its full constitutional role in guiding and guaranteeing the practice of “one country, two systems” by respecting and safeguarding the nation’s fundamental system, bearing in mind that the socialist system is the fundamental system of China, and the CPC’s leadership represents the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics
The achievements that have been made in the motherland in the past 10 years, Luo said, have been admirable. He noted that China has succeeded in lifting nearly 99 million people in the rural areas out of poverty. The nation has fulfilled its promises to provide adequate food and clothing, as well as better healthcare, education and housing, for its people.
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At the same time, China’s economic strength has taken a big stride forward. It’s indisputable that China has built the world’s most complete and largest industrial system and emerged as the world’s second-largest economy, contributing 38.6 percent to global economic growth. The practice of “one country, two systems” has been successfully implemented. President Xi Jinping also took effective measures to deal with the 2019 social unrest in the HKSAR. These measures had not only lifted the city out of the chaos, they have helped to deliver good governance and laid a strong foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity.
In his speech on Dec 4 marking this year’s National Constitution Day, Luo reiterated that the Chinese Constitution is the nation’s fundamental law, and the HKSAR’s constitutional order is based on the Constitution and the city’s Basic Law. He clarified the guiding role the Constitution plays in shaping the implementation of “one country, two systems”.
He conveyed the sense that the faithful implementation of “one country, two systems” cannot be divorced from our constitutional duties. As Professor Lau Siu-kai had pointed out, many Hong Kong people have taken “one country, two systems’ for granted because it has come too easily, without them having made strenuous efforts or sacrifices. Therefore, to make up for its cognitive inadequacies, Hong Kong must faithfully discharge its responsibilities under the Constitution.
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The HKSAR should play its full constitutional role in guiding and guaranteeing the practice of “one country, two systems” by respecting and safeguarding the nation’s fundamental system, bearing in mind that the socialist system is the fundamental system of China, and the CPC’s leadership represents the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Hong Kong must fully adhere to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. It’s necessary to promote the mainstream values of patriotism and love for Hong Kong that are compatible with “one country, two systems”.
Now is the time to hasten integration between the HKSAR and the motherland. As Luo pointed out, Hong Kong’s participation in China’s journey to build a modern socialist country will bring tremendous development opportunities for the special administrative region. The city must seize these opportunities to lift its economy and contribute to the well-being of the country.
Now is the time to hasten integration between the HKSAR and the motherland. As pointed out by Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, the city’s participation in China’s journey to build a modern socialist country will bring tremendous development opportunities for the special administrative region
The report made at the CPC’s 20th National Congress, as well as President Xi’s important speech in Hong Kong on July 1 this year, have made it clear that “one country, two systems” is here to stay, and proposed a host of key steps to support Hong Kong’s development. It’s worth noting that the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) backs the city’s development in various fields. Since July 1, a number of major policies have been rolled out in this respect, including the “Swap Link” cooperation program jointly launched by the central bank, the People’s Bank of China, and Hong Kong.
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The Ministry of Commerce has also announced opening up further opportunities for the HKSAR under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement signed in 2003. The nation will also fully support Hong Kong in its application to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as soon as possible. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission will encourage more central enterprises to list in Hong Kong and issue bonds in the city. Recently, the central government vowed support for the setting up of the International Mediation Institute Preparatory Office in Hong Kong that aims to double down on the city’s bid to be an international legal and dispute resolution center.
Thus, Hong Kong must rely on the country’s growing international clout to lift itself out of the economic doldrums and participate in the comprehensive construction of a modernized China.
Junius Ho is a Legislative Council member and a solicitor.
Kacee Ting Wong is a barrister, part-time researcher of Shenzhen University Hong Kong and the Macao Basic Law Research Center, and co-founder of the Together We Can and Hong Kong Coalition.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.