HONG KONG, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Those who are patriotic and love Hong Kong govern Hong Kong, while those who oppose China and create chaos in Hong Kong should be out. This, as a political rule under the "one country, two systems", has now become a legal norm, a senior Chinese government official said on Tuesday.
The promulgation of the national security law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has ushered in a new era by turning chaos into social stability, said Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, at a legal summit on the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law via video link.
Zhang said that, to comprehensively and accurately understand and implement the principle of "one country, two systems", one should see that "one country" is the premise and foundation for implementing "two systems"; that the socialist system with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the support and guarantee for Hong Kong's capitalist system to remain unchanged for a long time to come; that safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the primary purpose of "one country, two systems"; that the central government's overall jurisdiction is the source of a high degree of autonomy; that after Hong Kong's return, its legal system, including the common law system, has been incorporated into the constitutional order established on the basis of the National Constitution and the Basic Law; that Hong Kong's development is increasingly inseparable from and benefits from the mainland; that Hong Kong will be better only when the motherland becomes better; that "patriotism" should be added before the core values of democracy, freedom and human rights that Hong Kong society upholds; and that the more firmly the bottom line is kept, the greater the room for political tolerance.
Zhang pointed out that improving the principle of "one country, two systems" is a realistic need. The Basic Law of the HKSAR is the legalization and institutionalization of the principle of "one country, two systems". The Basic Law should be regarded as a "living law" and its adaptability should be enlarged through legislative interpretation and other means. It is also necessary to continuously improve the institutional system related to the implementation of the Basic Law through various means.
Zhang said he is glad to see that the relevant departments of the HKSAR government are working on improving the civil service oath system, the education system, the qualification examination system for Legislative Council members and other relevant systems. Recently, the Hong Kong society has had heated discussions on the issue of judicial reform. Even in Western countries, the judicial system is constantly reforming with the times, which does not affect judicial independence.
Zhang stressed that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. It's perfectly justified to require those who govern Hong Kong to be patriots. The personnel of the HKSAR government institutions must sincerely uphold the Basic Law, bear allegiance to the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR, and refrain from doing anything that undermines the interests of the state and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. The recent decision by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the qualification of LegCo members of the HKSAR not only provides a solid legal basis for the HKSAR government to immediately disqualify four opposition lawmakers, but also sets clear rules for handling such issues in the future, he added.
The world is changing, China is changing and Hong Kong is also changing. Hong Kong has undergone both passive and active changes, including putting things right politically and solving difficult problems through courageous reforms in the field of economy and people's livelihood. During the process, there will be "pains" inevitably, but the general trend is that the situation is to become better and better, Zhang said. Enditem
