Looking to the past to ensure the future
Ping Lun  Updated: 2004-02-23 08:48

The republication of Deng Xiaoping's historic remarks on the concept of "one country, two systems" and "patriotism" from two decades ago and a pertinent commentary in People's Daily last week drew scrutiny from different circles in Hong Kong.

Prominent political figures and the mass media expressed their support for Deng's remarks and the central government's stance on the Hong Kong's constitutional reform.

For the benefit of Hong Kong's constitutional development, it is important to reflect carefully on the issues of principle recently raised by the central government, said Tung Chee-hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Speaking to the media on constitutional development on Friday, Tung said: "Only if constitutional development in Hong Kong complies with these principles can we ensure the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems,' safeguard the well-being of Hong Kong people and maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong."

Tung said the principles spelled out by the central government - "one country" as the premise of "two systems;" Hong Kong being ruled by patriots who support reunification and respect the nation; recognition that Hong Kong's autonomy is authorized by the central government; the importance of the executive-led government; and balanced participation in government by all sectors of society - are very important.

Tung expressed his hope that all sectors of the Hong Kong community will seriously consider these issues in a forward-looking, calm and rational manner, while holding fast to the position of loving the country and Hong Kong.

"Constitutional development must also accord with the principles of gradual and orderly progress and fully reflect the actual situation in Hong Kong," he said.

Lau Nai-keung, a Hong Kong-based member of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said the central government's role in Hong Kong's constitutional development has been placed back at centre stage with the republication of Deng Xiaoping's historic speech on "one country, two systems."

In the last few years, the central government has not intervened over Hong Kong issues as it has given the local administration a high level of autonomy since the handover, Lau said.

Legislators from the "pro-democracy" camp have often misinterpreted the concept of "one country, two systems" in the past, and the publication of Deng's speech will help end confusion on the principles that underpin the central government's position, he said.

"Politicians and administrators of the government should have a deeper understanding of the patriotism principle expounded in Deng's speech," he said.

Ambrose Lau, chairman of the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, said Deng's remark that "patriots should form the main body of Hong Kong's rulers" is the gist and essence of the principle of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong."

Calling on people to think carefully about the criteria for a patriot as defined by Deng in 1984, Lau said those who advocate Taiwan self-determination do not meet the criteria.

Tsang Yok-sing, ex-chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said it is natural for the central government to speak more on constitutional development in Hong Kong because this is a very important topic.

It is good for Beijing to make the basic principles clear from the start, Tsang said.

"As for patriotism, I believe the central government has genuine concern that some people in Hong Kong still do not accept the political reality that 'one country' is the premise of 'two systems'," he said.

In the same vein, Shiu Sin-por, executive director of the One Country Two Systems Research Institute said that a stronger sense of patriotism and correct understanding of "one country, two systems" are the "indispensable prerequisites" for the smooth implementation of any constitutional reform in Hong Kong.

He called the republication of Deng's historic remarks "a useful reminder" for Hong Kong people regarding some essential principles.

"To push for constitutional development without a solid grasp of such principles would be like putting the cart before the horse.

"A stronger sense of national identity has to be the prerequisite for any political reform, otherwise further democratization and universal suffrage will lead to splittism," said Shiu.

Whatever the direction of the current discussions on constitutional reform, the backbone principles laid down by Deng to underpin the Basic Law and the implementation of "one country, two systems" must be abided by to the letter, he said.

Hong Kong Commercial Daily pointed out in its Friday editorial that the two most important contents in Deng Xiaoping's remarks are his explanations on the "one country, two system" formula and the conception of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and the standards on "patriots."

Hong Kong has returned to the motherland for more than six years, but these important theories and explanations are not outdated as they still conform to the reality of Hong Kong and have practical significance, the newspaper said.

For those who are trapped into engaging in political disputes and feel confused about Hong Kong's political future, a review of Deng's speech will help them regain the feeling of enlightenment, the newspaper said.

Wen Wei Po commented that the two most important contents of Deng's remarks were made in 1984 when he met with a Hong Kong industrial and commercial delegation and with Sze-yuen Chung and other prominent Hong Kong figures, that it must be required that "patriots form the main body of administrators," and "a patriot is one who respects the Chinese nation, sincerely supports the motherland's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and wishes not to impair Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."

The paper said we must grasp clearly the principle of "one country, two systems" to boost Hong Kong's constitutional development.

Takungpao Daily said that Deng's remarks in 1984 were highly received by the Hong Kong public and reflect confidence in Hong Kong's future.

Now that 20 years have passed, the central government's policy on Hong Kong has never changed. The central government has stuck to its principles on Hong Kong and no one is allowed to disturb the settled policy, the newspaper said.

(China Daily)

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