The road to democracy in Hong Kong is bound to be wider and wider (authoritative release)

　　"Hong Kong has no democracy under British colonial rule. The China government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and implemented ‘ One country, two systems ’ The policy has created a democratic system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and supported its continuous development and improvement in practice. " A few days ago, the State Council issued a white paper entitled "Democratic Development in Hong Kong under" One Country, Two Systems ",which comprehensively reviewed the emergence and development of democracy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and further clarified the central government’s principled position on democratic development in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

　　On December 27th, the State Council Office held a briefing on the white paper "Democratic Development in Hong Kong under" One Country, Two Systems ".Three experts and scholars explained the contents of the white paper and answered questions from reporters.

　　"One country, two systems" is the fundamental guarantee for the democratic development of Hong Kong.

　　The white paper points out that "one country, two systems" is not only the best solution to the Hong Kong issue left over from history, but also the best system to maintain long-term prosperity and stability after Hong Kong’s return, and the fundamental guarantee for the democratic development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

　　Wang Zhenmin, a professor at the Law School of Tsinghua University, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Research Center of Tsinghua University and vice president of the National Hong Kong and Macao Research Association, introduced that the white paper showed the real picture of Hong Kong’s democratic development in a panoramic way, organically connected many seemingly isolated historical events and stories, and clarified the historical latitude and longitude and the logical connection among them. The publication of the white paper is timely, significant and far-reaching.

　　The white paper clearly stated that "one country, two systems" provided a fundamental guarantee for the democratic development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

　　"It clarifies the ‘ in the development of democracy in Hong Kong; One country ’ And ‘ Two systems ’ The relationship between ‘ One country ’ Yes ‘ Two systems ’ The premise and foundation of ‘ Two systems ’ Dependent and derived from ‘ One country ’ , and unified in ‘ One country ’ Within. " Han Dayuan, a professor at Renmin University of China Law School and a member of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee in the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), said.

　　"The socialist system implemented by the main body of the state and the capitalist system implemented by the special administrative region go hand in hand, but the primary and secondary relationship between them cannot be reversed." Han Dayuan emphasized that what kind of democratic system is implemented in Hong Kong is related to the relationship between the central authorities and the Special Administrative Region, and to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. According to the Constitution and the Basic Law, the central government has the leading power and decision-making power in the development of democracy in Hong Kong. Only under the leadership of the central government can democracy in Hong Kong develop healthily, stably and sustainably.

　　Explore the road of democratic development with Hong Kong characteristics

　　The white paper emphasizes that the constitutional status and actual situation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under "one country, two systems" determine that the basic attribute of its political system is a local political system. Therefore, its democratic system should not copy the model of any other place, and it must follow the principle of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law, in line with Hong Kong’s political, economic, social, cultural and historical conditions, and explore a path of democratic development with Hong Kong characteristics.

　　"Hong Kong’s political system has the attributes of local political system, so ‘ One country, two systems ’ The next election in Hong Kong is a local election. " Han Dayuan pointed out.

　　Han Dayuan said that according to the Constitution and the Basic Law, the democracy practiced in Hong Kong is an integral part of People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s national democracy. At the same time, the state has specified the main contents, procedures and basic principles of the democratic system of the Special Administrative Region through the Basic Law. Of course, as a local democracy, Hong Kong can implement a democratic system with Hong Kong characteristics different from the mainland according to the legal provisions and the actual situation of Hong Kong.

　　The white paper points out that the emphasis on "patriots ruling Hong Kong" does not mean that dissidents or advocates are not allowed to exist, nor does it mean suppressing the voices criticizing the government.

　　Han Dayuan said, "Patriot ruling Hong Kong" is the fundamental principle to improve the electoral system and promote the democratic development of Hong Kong. The principle of "Patriot ruling Hong Kong" does not mean "uniform", but emphasizes that any Hong Kong resident can participate in elections and the future governance of Hong Kong according to law as long as he upholds the position of patriotism and love for Hong Kong and does not engage in activities that endanger national sovereignty, security, development interests and Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.

　　Hong Kong SAR has bright prospects for democratic development.

　　The white paper points out that under "one country, two systems", the prospects for democratic development in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are bright, and the road to democracy is bound to become wider and wider.

　　"People are determined to spend more energy and resources on developing the economy, improving people’s livelihood and creating a better life, so as to lay a solid economic and social foundation for Hong Kong’s democratic and healthy development." Wang Zhenmin said.

　　Zhi Zhenfeng, a researcher at the Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and a researcher at the Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Research Center of the China Academy of Social Sciences, said that since the return to the motherland, Hong Kong’s business environment has been constantly improving, and it has always been at the leading level in the world. "One country, two systems" guarantees democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

　　Zhi Zhenfeng suggested that Hong Kong’s education, journalism, literature and art, especially all walks of life that provide recreational products for young people, should take action to correctly understand the relationship between "one country, two systems" and democracy in Hong Kong, including young people, and to create positive, healthy and high-quality works for the sound development of democracy in Hong Kong.

　　People’s Daily (December 28, 2021, 02 edition)