Why it's vital to recall what Deng said about HK

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, February 20, 2004

Why it's vital to recall what Deng said about HK

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The republication of Deng Xiaoping's speech two decades ago on "One Country, Two Systems" is by no means coincidental. It aims to point out certain confusions and misconceptions in the recent debate on constitutional development in the SAR and clarify them at the level of principle.

This historic speech was delivered by Deng to a group of Hong Kong celebrities, many of whom are still alive. The content of his words became well known from early on. But twenty years later, many of the pivotal principles expounded therein have been forgotten by many, and there is certainly the need to refresh people's memories.

The address defines "One Country, Two Systems". The essence is the correct interpretation of the relationship between "One Country" and "Two Systems" and the ruling of Hong Kong by patriots. These are two underlying principles. Whether Hong Kong is able to uphold these two principles will have a strong bearing on the future and well-being of its people and on the stability, security and development of the country.

There exists in Hong Kong an alarming phenomenon -- some people talk generally about "One Country, Two Systems" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", but neglect the specific content of these principles.

Take the latter for example. Deng said very clearly that it must be required that patriots form the main body of administrators of Hong Kong. A patriot is one who respects the Chinese nation, sincerely supports the motherland's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and wishes not to impair its prosperity and stability.

That is to say, mere permanent residency does not qualify a person to rule Hong Kong. He must love the motherland and Hong Kong from his heart and actually safeguard the fundamental interests of the country and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Judging with this criterion, some people in the SAR who are currently in positions of power do not meet this pre-requisite to be rulers of Hong Kong. They are not willing to live under "One Country". They keep on hassling the SAR government and the central authorities. They are opposed to legislation for national security, organize or participate in activities against the central government, invite foreign intervention in Hong Kong affairs, and lend open support to Taiwan independence.

Such behaviour has worried Hong Kong people and the central government. This serves as a footnote for another remark made by Deng two decades ago: Don't think that Hong Kong will be rid of destructive forces after reunification; such a fantasy is not practical.

Merely paying lip service cannot make one a patriot. Whether a person is patriotic or not is judged by what one has done, and not by what one claims oneself to be.

Everybody has a yardstick in their heart with which to pass judgment. The subject of "patriots" has aroused heated debates in the territory recently. To cool down the row, some have called it an "unnecessary dispute", and even warned that Hongkongers will all stand by the "democrats" if the argument continues. This worry is obviously unwarranted since such debates are absolutely necessary.

In fact, if the actual meaning of the principles of "One Country, Two Systems" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" were clarified a few years ago, many events that have jeopardized the interests of the country and Hong Kong may not have happened.

Putting forth arguments does not mean putting accusing labels on others. The aim of debating is to differentiate between right and wrong and to prevent Hong Kong's development from deviating from its right course. This is a matter of principle that cannot be dodged after all.

Deng's 'One country, two systems' theory

"We are pursuing a policy of one country, two systems," late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping told the world 20 years ago.

Years after his pass on February 19, 1997, Deng's creation is consolidated in Hong Kong. China's first special administrative region is practising a capitalist system that contrasts with the mainland's socialist road.

As the 14th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region approaches, Deng's remarks on the concept of "one country, two systems" is, once again, echoed from Beijing to Hong Kong.

"More specifically, this means that within the People's Republic of China, the mainland with its one billion people will maintain the socialist system, while Hong Kong and Taiwan continue under the capitalist system," Deng briefed members of a Hong Kong industrial and commercial community and with prominent Hong Kong figures several times 20 years ago.

Deng expanded on the concept, the requirements or qualifications for the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people and the definition of a patriot.

Deng said the Chinese Government is firm in its position, principles and policies on Hong Kong.

"We have stated on many occasions that after China resumes the exercise of its sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, Hong Kong's current social and economic systems will remain unchanged, its legal system will remain basically unchanged, its way of life and its status as a free port and an international trade and financial centre will remain unchanged and it can continue to maintain or establish economic relations with other countries and regions," Deng said.

Today, Deng's legacy continues as the central government's policy towards Hong Kong and Macao toes the line drawn by Deng.

Source: China Daily HK Edition

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