Basic Law the key to Hong Kong stability
Xun Feng  Updated: 2004-02-12 08:46

In its latest consultation with officials from Hong Kong about the special administrative region's constitutional development, Beijing made it crystal clear that "one country" is the precondition to "two systems," and the "high degree of autonomy" Hong Kong enjoys should never exceed the mandate of the Basic Law.

Hong Kong legislators, deputies to the National People's Congress and members of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said the central government's position has come at an appropriate time when debates over constitutional development are heating up in Hong Kong.

As misunderstandings and even dissents have appeared during the on-going discussions, the central government's attitude will help relate the basic principles to the Hong Kong people.

The stance Beijing reiterated this time is consistent with its long-standing view over issues in Hong Kong. It consists of three major points: "One country" is the premise of "two systems;" "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" means governance by patriotic people; and "a high degree of autonomy" enjoyed by the region should be practised with the power conferred by the central government according to the Basic Law.

Some in Hong Kong have deliberately accentuated "two systems" while ignoring the "one country" premise and asked for unlimited self-determination in the name of "a high degree of autonomy." Such claims reveal astonishing ignorance, or disregard, of the legal framework the region's Basic Law has established.

Putting aside the consensus that constitutional development in Hong Kong should be a gradual process, some residents have been pushing for election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's chief executive and the Legislative Council by universal suffrage in 2007.

Under the name of "returning power to the people," these people have accused the central government of interfering in Hong Kong's local affairs.

Beijing has stated and demonstrated it has no intention to dictate Hong Kong's political evolution. But that does not mean the region is entitled to unilaterally decide its political status in flagrant disregard of the constitutional arrangements the Basic Law has tailored for it.

Hong Kong is a part of, not independent from, China. While claiming the political rights and interests they are promised, all residents of Hong Kong should be aware of the essential political reality that they are citizens of the People's Republic of China.

As in all other nations, there is legislation defining the limits of the rights and interests that come with citizenship.

In Hong Kong's case, it is the Basic Law.

All the region's claims for autonomy should therefore be in conformity with its Basic Law. One-sided accentuation of "two systems" goes against that law.

In those 100 years' British rule, Hong Kong governors were appointed by the British Government and the locals could not have any say in it.

After the handover in 1997, its chief executive was selected through elections that have involved wide participation of people from all circles in Hong Kong in line with the Basic Law. It is only after Hong Kong's return to the motherland have Hong Kong people begun to enjoy their political rights.

The step-by-step approach the Basic Law has prescribed for Hong Kong's democratic process is based on the region's political reality and aimed at preserving continual local stability and prosperity.

Hastening the process when conditions are not ripe risks political instability and will ultimately hurt Hong Kong's economic well-being.

Correct understanding of the principle of "one country, two systems" and persistent adherence to the Basic Law are the cornerstones of Hong Kong's stability, development and future prosperity.

(China Daily)

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