Beijing insists on 'one country, two systems' for Hong Kong and Macau
The State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office published an article citing President Xi Jinping's call for steadfast implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle to ensure long-term stability. It stressed national security, anti-sanctions mechanisms, and support for Hong Kong's
The State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, through its theoretical study centre, published an article on 2 November citing President Xi Jinping's speech at the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. Xi said that promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau is an inherent requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The article said Xi's speech deepened the party's understanding of the 'one country, two systems' policy. It called for fully and accurately implementing the principle, along with 'Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong' and 'Macau people ruling Macau', and the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' and 'patriots administering Macau'. It urged improving legal governance and supporting Hong Kong and Macau to better integrate into national development.
The article stressed that security is a prerequisite for development and for maintaining an open environment, stable market confidence and international ties. It said 'the firmer the security baseline, the broader the space for Hong Kong and Macau's open development'. It noted that Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order and then to prosperity is a continuous process.
The article warned that national security threats remain serious and complex, and said development cannot ignore security. It called for strengthening anti-sanctions and anti-foreign-interference mechanisms, including countering 'long-arm jurisdiction'. It supported maintaining high pressure on 'anti-China, destabilising elements' and improving legal systems for national security.
The article backed the chief executives and governments of Hong Kong and Macau in effectively implementing their five-year plans. It said Hong Kong should consolidate its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and accelerate the development of the Northern Territory and an international innovation and technology hub.
The article concluded that with the motherland as a strong backing and joint efforts by the governments and society, Hong Kong and Macau can achieve new contributions and higher-quality development under the 'one country, two systems' framework.