25th Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover... Xi Jinping: "The Governance of Hong Kong by Patriots Must Not Be Shaken"

Chinese President Xi Jinping [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on the 1st, "It is an inevitable requirement to ensure Hong Kong's long-term stability that patriots firmly control Hong Kong's governance, and this must never be shaken."

In a speech lasting about 33 minutes at the ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's sovereignty return and the inauguration of the 6th government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, President Xi emphasized, "The governance of Hong Kong by patriots must be implemented."

President Xi said, "The rule that power must be in the hands of patriots is a universally accepted political principle worldwide," adding, "No country, region, or people in the world entrust power to forces or individuals who are unpatriotic, or even treasonous and rebellious."

'Governance of Hong Kong by patriots' means not allowing anti-China or anti-Chinese Communist Party forces to enter Hong Kong's political spheres such as administration and legislation.

President Xi's emphasis on 'patriotic governance of Hong Kong' is interpreted as a move to block the political intervention of liberal forces in Hong Kong, which was expressed through large-scale anti-government protests by Hong Kong residents in 2019, and to accelerate the 'Sinicization of Hong Kong.'

President Xi stressed, "The policy of One Country, Two Systems must be fully and accurately implemented," and "There is no reason to change One Country, Two Systems, and it must be adhered to in the long term."

He added, "Under the premise that safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests is the highest principle of the One Country, Two Systems policy, Hong Kong and Macau will maintain their existing capitalist systems for a long time and enjoy a high degree of autonomy."

However, President Xi stated, "The socialist system is the fundamental system of the People's Republic of China, and the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics," and "All residents of the (Hong Kong) Special Administrative Region must be aware of, respect, and safeguard the country's fundamental system."

He also said, "The firmer the principle of 'One Country,' the more prominent the advantages of 'Two Systems' become."

He went on to say, "The central government has comprehensive jurisdiction over the (Hong Kong) Special Administrative Region, which is the source of the region's high degree of autonomy."

President Xi mentioned One Country, Two Systems 20 times during the speech, clearly indicating that it will be adhered to for a long time, but at the same time, it is interpreted that he made clear that the 'Chinese-style One Country, Two Systems' differs from the One Country, Two Systems as described by the West.

One Country, Two Systems is a policy allowing the Chinese mainland to permit Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan to maintain their existing systems for a certain period.

The One Country, Two Systems principle was reflected in the "Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong," which stipulated that after China regained Hong Kong from Britain in 1997, Hong Kong's existing system would be maintained for 50 years. In this regard, the West considers that China promised the international community to maintain the democratic political system and market economy that Hong Kong had during British colonial rule for 50 years. However, China regards the legal basis for governing Hong Kong after its return as the Chinese Constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law, effectively not recognizing the status and effect of the Joint Declaration.

Furthermore, President Xi said, "Hong Kong's unique status and strengths must be maintained," and the central government supports Hong Kong in maintaining its independent status and strengths for a long time and consolidating its central position in international finance, shipping, and trade.

President Xi also said, "We must pay special attention to and care for the youth," adding, "Young people should be guided to deeply understand the general trend of national and global development and to have national pride and a sense of ownership."

He continued, "We must help many young people solve practical difficulties they face in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and housing purchase, and provide more opportunities for them to grow into talents."

This appears to express an intention to resolve the economic and living difficulties of Hong Kong youth, who were the leading forces in the anti-government protests, and to induce conformity to the system.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.