Q: Some people say the principle of "one country, two
systems" carried out in Hong Kong and Macao is undermines China.
What are the ideas of this principle? Does it contradict the
unitary state system of China?
A: "One country, two systems" is an important principle that
China put forward for regaining its sovereignty over Hong Kong and
Macao and realizing peaceful reunification of the Chinese mainland
and Taiwan. At the Second Session of the Sixth National People's
Congress held in May 1984, this principle became a state policy
with legal effect.
The prerequisite of "one country, two systems" is to identify
with "one country," that is, the People's Republic of China, and to
identify with the fact that the principal part of the country is
socialist. "Two systems" means that in the People's Republic of
China, socialism is adopted on the mainland while capitalism is
adopted in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
To secure the implementation of "one country, two systems," the
NPC put forth the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region and the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region
on April 4, 1990 and March 23, 1993, respectively, which clearly
stipulate that after the Government of the People's Republic of
China resumes the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao,
the previous social and economic systems in the two regions remain
unchanged, laws remain almost unchanged, the lifestyle stays the
same and the status of free ports and international trade and
financial centers doesn't change. Hong Kong and Macao can continue
to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and
regions. Except for stationing troops, Beijing does not send any
officials to the governments in Hong Kong and Macao and does not
intervene in the internal affairs of the two regions. This policy
will remain unchanged for 50 years in order to maintain the
stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao.
All countries of the world follow either a federal system or a
unitary system. China is a country with a unitary system.
Establishing special administrative regions under such a system
falls within the principle of "one country, two systems" and does
not contradict the unitary system. There are two aspects of the
relationship between the Central Government and the two special
administrative regions. The first aspect is the relationship
between the Central Government and the local governments of "one
country" in the unitary system, and all power is granted by the
Central Government. The second aspect is the relationship between
the Central Government and local governments of "two systems,"
which means the NPC grants a high degree of autonomy to Hong Kong
and Macao. The autonomy is much more extensive than the powers of
the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the
mainland. If needed, the NPC or the State Council can also grant
other powers to the two special administrative regions. This is
also different from the federal system.
Since the return of Hong Kong and Macao, the Central Government
has consistently carried out the principle of "one country, two
systems" and acts according to the Basic Laws. Compatriots in Hong
Kong and Macao, as the masters of the regions, are enjoying
unprecedented democratic rights. In particular, with support of the
Central Government, Hong Kong overcame the Asian financial crisis
and maintained its status as an international financial, trade and
shipping center. The successful return of Hong Kong and Macao
enriches the theory and practice of "one country, two systems" and
proves that this principle is correct.
Since China resumed sovereignty over Hong
Kong in 1997, the principle of "one country, two systems" has been
fully implemented in the special administrative region. The picture
shows a horse race in Hong Kong.
