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)

On Academic Freedom and Political Principle of Academic Journals

    In China’s current academic periodical system, academic freedom and politics are an eternal issue. With the continuous development of economy and technology, academics have also made great progress. However, in the process of development, ideas are not unified, and thoughts from all sides are constantly emerging, which makes it easy for academics to take the wrong road of "left" or "right".

    Connotation of academic freedom

    Academic freedom includes academic authenticity and practicality.

    Academic journals are the main positions where academic achievements can be published. As we all know, the most important feature of scholarship lies in its freedom. Academic freedom means that academics are based on objective existence, not on the will of any social group or individual. Adhering to academic freedom is the most fundamental factor for academic development. Academic freedom includes academic authenticity and practicality. Academic is the real law of the objective world, and the purpose of academic existence is to promote social development and human progress. Therefore, on the basis of authenticity, scholarship must also be practical and can be used to guide practice. In general, the value of academic achievements mainly lies in innovation, whether there are new research findings, whether new problems are raised or whether new research methods are applied.

    Academic freedom must be carried out under certain conditions.

    Freedom does not mean to be free from any constraints, but refers to freedom within a certain legal, reasonable and reasonable limit. Academic freedom must meet the following restrictions: First, obey the basic moral standards. Academic freedom should conform to the basic moral norms such as integrity and dignity, and should not exceed the moral bottom line of ordinary people. Although academic circles do not prohibit the appearance of academic articles involving some sharp or sensitive issues, these articles must also be on the basis of not violating the most basic human morality. Second, academic freedom must be carried out within the scope prescribed by law, for example, it cannot violate the relevant provisions of the law, such as publicizing the benefits of some violent crimes. This kind of academic research can not only promote the society, on the contrary, it is unfavorable to social development.

    Grasp the degree of academic freedom

    Academic freedom must be measured, not too much. Academic research and publication of results must also be within the basic scope to achieve freedom. Academics is a regular understanding of the objective world. In daily life, when it comes to academics, many people regard it as something profound and mysterious, but this is not the case. The key to the value of academic achievements lies in whether they are creative or not. Only by grasping the degree of academic freedom can we get a correct understanding of the academic itself.

    Political nature of academic journals

    Broadly speaking, everything in the country is political. This is especially true for newspapers and other media, which are the main positions of government propaganda activities. As the main carrier of academic achievements, academic journals must also be carried out within the scope of political permission and must also be political.

    Generally speaking, academic journals include both natural sciences and humanities and social sciences. Academic research in natural sciences mostly reflects the objective laws of nature, while academic research in humanities and social sciences mostly involves the development laws of people and society. People and society have certain political attributes, and academic research cannot exist without politics. Therefore, academic journals will inevitably encounter the relationship between academic freedom and politics. Politics refers to issues related to national interests, people’s rights and obligations, while scholarship is an in-depth study and discussion of a certain social science field. Politics is from the macro aspect, while learning is from the micro aspect, which belongs to the political category.

    Political nature of learning

    The political nature of scholarship is mainly reflected in the following two points: First, scholarship also includes the study of politics. Academic research covers all aspects of social life, including politics. Academic research on politics is mostly based on the perspective of a certain interest group, and it should undoubtedly be highly political to serve a certain interest group. Second, ordinary academic research should also be political. Academics cannot develop at will, but must have a correct development direction and road, which needs political guidance. For ordinary people, academic journals play the role of propaganda and guidance. If they lack political nature, they will undoubtedly shake people’s beliefs and bring unstable factors to society.

    Academics and politics are dialectical unity.

    There are differences and connections between academics and politics, which complement and restrict each other. Whether it is an academic issue or a political issue, we must abide by objective laws. Academics must be carried out within the scope permitted by politics, and the development of academics is counterproductive to politics. Academics can promote political development, which in turn creates a more relaxed environment for academic development. If the academic and political direction do not match, it will be difficult to move forward, thus developing towards the correct development path in line with the political direction.

    The essence of academic research

    The essence of academic research is to serve social development, and in a sense, to serve the realization of national political goals. At present, China is in the tide of socialist modernization, and any work should be subject to this overall situation, and academic research is no exception. Academics do not exist in isolation, and their emergence and development are based on some political foundation. Because of a certain social demand, academics came into being. It has no practical significance to talk about academics without social and political needs. Academics must be considered in the overall economic and social development. Academic researchers draw a conclusion through in-depth investigation and research in a certain field, thus promoting economic and social development, which is the highest level of academic research serving politics. Of course, academic research is generally a research with a high degree of specialization in a certain field. This kind of research can’t be divorced from reality and can’t groan without illness. Research for the sake of research should be guided by correct politics.

    How to grasp the relationship between them?

    Party newspapers and journals are bound to be highly political, while academic journals are not so political. When it comes to academic journals, many people think that academics are the center, while politics is not so important. Some people even think that academics have nothing to do with politics or even are antagonistic. The disunity of this thought has led to a constant debate on the relationship between academic freedom and politics in the work of academic journals.

    It is of great significance for the development of academic journals to grasp the relationship between academic freedom and politics. To grasp the relationship between academic freedom and politics, we should pay attention to the following aspects:

    Academic freedom and politics are both related and different. On the one hand, under normal circumstances, academic research is done by individual scholars or groups headed by a scholar, which inevitably has personal feelings and personal views and opinions on politics. Especially the academic research on politics, it is more inevitable to reflect the individual political views of scholars. On the other hand, academic research generally only focuses on the fields it studies, and generally does not explicitly discuss specific political issues.

    Adhere to the correct direction and principle of running a journal. For academic journals, the direction and principle of running journals are the most critical issues. If you don’t grasp the direction and principles of running a journal well, it is inevitable that you will do everything in the opposite direction. The international situation in today’s world is changing, and the western capitalist countries have never given up their penetration into China. At this critical moment, we should raise our political awareness and put an end to political mistakes. Readers of academic journals are mostly knowledge-based talents with higher education, and they have a strong understanding of things. If academic journals convey bad political information to them, it may cause serious consequences. Moreover, as a means of academic propaganda, academic journals have certain authority, should have a strong sense of responsibility, maintain sufficient rigor, and properly play their functions.

    Pay attention to the political principles of manuscript selection. In the process of selecting manuscripts, we should not only pay attention to the problems studied by academic research institutes, but also pay attention to whether the authors have incorrect political orientation. Manuscripts that clearly violate the state’s major principles and policies should not be employed. At the same time, the authors of academic manuscripts must have a correct outlook on the world and life, and put forward original opinions on the problems studied on this basis.

    The whole process of editing and publishing academic journals should conform to the provisions of national laws and policies. The formation process of academic journals needs many links, and each link should conform to the provisions of national laws and policies. The state has some special requirements for academic journals. Scholars must pay attention to the principles and policies formulated by the state in this field when conducting academic research. At the same time, reviewers of academic journals must also have a certain degree of understanding of the national laws and regulations of the articles they review. Moreover, in the process of peer review, some political issues need to be carefully examined by the reviewers many times, so as to do a good job in running academic journals at multiple levels and in all directions.

    Focus on improving the professional quality and political quality of academic journal staff. The process of running academic journals is carried out by staff, and the quality of staff is closely related to the formation, publication and distribution of academic journals. The editing and reviewing of periodical manuscripts is a monotonous and boring job, which requires the staff to proofread every word patiently and carefully. Periodical staff should have high political quality, strong sensitivity, keep attention to political hot issues and focus issues, and at the same time have a certain degree of mastery of national laws and policies. In recent years, there are more and more kinds of academic journals, and the competition is becoming more and more fierce. How to face the new situation and meet the new challenges is a problem worthy of consideration by every academic journal staff.

    In the process of running academic journals, we must fully grasp the relationship between academic freedom and political nature, which not only ensures academic freedom, but also ensures academic political nature, so that academic development is always on the right way forward.

    (Author: Editorial Department of Journal of Taishan University)

    Notes:

    ① Yang Dawei: On the Relationship between Academic Journals and Politics, Heilongjiang Social Sciences, No.6, 2011.

    ② Liang Shufa: "To run academic journals well, we should handle the relationship between academics and politics", The First Issue of Ideological and Theoretical Education, 2009.

    ③ Wu Wenqiang: On How to Deal with the Relationship between Politics and Academics of Academic Journals, Southland Today, No.3, 2010.


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