Qi Pengfei, Director of the Research Center on Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau of Renmin University of China

The white paper on the "one country, two systems" policy in Hong Kong issued by the Information Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet, is a landmark - the first white paper on Hong Kong issues.

The white paper comes at a time when progress has been made in the "one country, two systems" policy. At the same time, new circumstances and new problems continue to arise. Some people in Hong Kong are even confused in their understanding of "one country, two systems".

The white paper puts forward several new concepts in five categories.

The paper puts forward for the first time the proposition that central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR, including both powers directly exercised by the central government and those delegated to the HKSAR by the central government to enable it to exercise autonomy. Central government has the power of overseeing the exercise of autonomy in the HKSAR.

The white paper emphasizes full and accurate understanding of the meaning of "One Country, Two Systems". The paper clarifies that the autonomy of HKSAR is not an inherent power, but one that derives solely from the authorization of the central leadership. The white paper points out for the first time that the autonomy of the HKSAR is not full autonomy, nor decentralized power. It is the power to run local affairs as authorized by the central leadership. The autonomy of HKSAR is subject to the central leadership's authorization. There is no such thing as "residual power."

A full understanding of "One Country, Two Systems" is the priority of the white paper. As a groundbreaking initiative, "one country, two systems" is a major issue of governance to the central leadership, and marks a major historical turning point for Hong Kong and its people as well.

The white paper emphasizes that "two systems" under the "one country" are not of equal status. The mainland, the main body of the country, embraces socialism and will not change. A socialist system on the mainland is the prerequisite and guarantee for Hong Kong's capitalism and its stability and prosperity. For Hong Kong to retain its capitalist system, it must not disrupt or challenge the socialist system practiced on the mainland.

The article is edited and translated from 本报特约专家解读香港白皮书; Source: People’s Daily Online Overseas Edition.