Pearl of the Orient shines bright

Advancing the cause of 'One Country, Two Systems' has benefited the development of Hong Kong and the mainland

President Hu Jintao attended the 15th anniversary celebrations of Hong Kong's return to China and delivered keynote speeches at a dinner on Saturday and the inauguration of the new chief executive and Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sunday.

In the speech delivered at the inauguration ceremony, Hu emphasized the importance of correctly and comprehensively understanding and implementing the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and acting in strict accordance with the Basic Law. He also highlighted the necessity of maintaining a balance between abiding by the "One Country" principle and respecting the differences of the "Two Systems" and between upholding the authority of the central government and ensuring a high degree of autonomy for the special administrative region. He said there needed to be a balance between safeguarding overall national interests and protecting the interests of various social sectors in the special administrative region, and between supporting its connecting with the outside world and opposing interference by external forces.

Fifteen years have passed since the return of Hong Kong to China, and the central government has concretely defended the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and made dedicated efforts to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. As Hu said, the fundamental goal of the principles, policies and major steps of the central government is to ensure long-term prosperity and stability in the special administrative region.

However, there is an old Chinese saying that the tree wants to stand still but the winds blow ceaselessly. Some politicians in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region deliberately misinterpret the principle of "One Country, Two Systems". They emphasize two systems while negating the principle of "One Country", seeking to undermine the legal authority of the central government. They selfishly elevate local interests while ignoring national interests, and invite external forces to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs. Though these people do not represent the mainstream opinion in the special administrative region, they are capable of making political mischief, and people in Hong Kong should not let their selfish stunts undermine the hard-won progress.

As Hu pointed out: "Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the political system and democracy have developed in an incremental and orderly manner, and achieved much progress. We should continue to advance the democratic process in Hong Kong as provided for in the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress."

Hu said it is the shared mission of the central government and the government and people of the special administrative region to explore new ways to advance the cause of "One Country, Two Systems" and maintain social harmony and stability. He emphasized that it is imperative that the new chief executive and Executive Council of the special administrative region put the people first, accurately gauge public opinion and take concrete and effective measures to properly address issues concerning people's livelihoods. Thus the government of the special administrative region needs to strengthen human resources development and pay greater attention to ensuring equal opportunities, heed the concerns of disadvantaged groups and provide more opportunities for the younger generation.

While fully recognizing the remarkable achievements Hong Kong has made since its return to the motherland 15 years ago, there are also problems and challenges that need to be addressed. The special administrative region's new government will have to find solutions to some deep-rooted social and economic issues, so that all sectors of society share the benefits of economic progress amid the worsening global economy and intense regional economic competition.

Once just a small fishing village, Hong Kong has grown to be a vibrant and world-renowned metropolis. Its success is built on the hard work and character of its people who have stuck together through thick and thin. The people living and working in the special administrative region must demonstrate the same spirit and pull together to overcome the challenges ahead.

Hong Kong has been through many trials and tribulation over the past 15 years, including the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s and the outbreak of SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, in 2003. But with the unfailing support of the central government and people on the mainland each time it has emerged stronger.

To ensure its future development Hong Kong must expand and deepen its exchanges and cooperation with the mainland in order to increase its competitiveness and achieve mutually beneficial development.

The next five years will be of great significance to Hong Kong's long-term development. Adhering to the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" it can continue to make a unique contribution to the reform, opening-up and modernization of the Chinese mainland while at the same time taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the vigorous economic development of the mainland.

The author is a veteran current affairs commentator.

(China Daily 07/04/2012 page8)