A seminar to commemorate 2024 Constitution Day was jointly organized by the Hong Kong government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR on Wednesday, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivering an opening speech. Lee emphasized that all sectors in Hong Kong society should adhere to the principle of “one country” and leverage the benefits of “two systems”, thereby utilizing Hong Kong’s unique advantages.
In terms of upholding the principle of “one country”, my understanding is that Hong Kong should never be allowed to attempt to pursue de-Sinicization under the guise of “democracy”, “two systems”, or “high degree of autonomy”. While Hong Kong indeed has a system distinct from that of the Chinese mainland, its foundation is “one country”. Hong Kong was, and always will be, part of China and should be governed as “China’s Hong Kong”. This means relying on the country, engaging with the international community, and always keeping the nation in mind. In handling all issues, Hong Kong residents should take into account not only the interests of Hong Kong but also those of the nation. Residents should not adopt a mentality of “localism”, or overemphasizing Hong Kong’s “two systems” while ignoring national interests and circumstances. This is the crucial difference between a normal Hong Kong resident and an anti-China element. The anti-China forces have idolized Western-styled democracy, imagining that it can solve all societal contradictions. They believe having votes brings ultimate peace. This is indeed an illusion. The farce that occurred in South Korea night o Dec 3 was a harsh lesson for these radicals. In fact, adoption of political systems is like wearing shoes; different foot shapes and sizes require different shoes. Similarly, a political system needs a foundation; it cannot float in the air. The system adopted by the Chinese mainland suits the mainland, while the system in Hong Kong suits the SAR. It has never been the case that the system in Hong Kong is superior to that of the mainland. However, there are still some individuals in Hong Kong today who follow the lead of the West, convinced that Hong Kong’s system is better. In the early 1990s, some even parroted the notion of the “end of history”. But history has proved otherwise. The mainland’s system suits its circumstances, and since reform and opening-up started, it has become more dynamic, leading to consistent economic growth. The mainland’s system has long been written into the country’s Constitution , and the establishment and system of the Hong Kong SAR originate from the Constitution.
Since the 1997 handover, Hong Kong’s system has continually revitalized the region, allowing it to thrive amid challenges. Therefore, I believe the significance of Constitution Day to Hong Kong residents lies in respecting the authority of the Constitution, understanding the fundamental national system, and recognizing that the constitutional order of the HKSAR is rooted in the Constitution.
Under the leadership of the CPC, the nation will undertake more than 300 reforms, ensuring that modernization with Chinese characteristics progresses through high-quality development. Hong Kong residents should also embrace a spirit of reform, instead of being stagnant; they should also open their minds and view the reform of Hong Kong and themselves with an open attitude
The first article of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China states: “The socialist system is the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is prohibited for any organization or individual to damage the socialist system.”
Therefore, Hong Kong residents should respect the CPC as the ruling party of our country. For historical reasons, Hong Kong residents often have limited understanding of the CPC, especially its revolutionary history and nation-building history; some even blindly follow the Western narrative to deliberately vilify the CPC. On reflection, the Party capable of governing a land of 9.6 million square kilometers and 1.4 billion people, transforming the country from a state of poverty in 1949 to the world’s second-largest economy, clearly demonstrates its exceptional governance capability. As such, when celebrating Constitution Day, it would also be beneficial for Hong Kong residents to positively engage with the history of the CPC because “the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics”.
In mid-July, the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was successfully held, and the resolution adopted in the session was made for the country to continue and further deepen reform. Under the leadership of the CPC, the nation will undertake more than 300 reforms, ensuring that modernization with Chinese characteristics progresses through high-quality development. Hong Kong residents should also embrace a spirit of reform, instead of being stagnant; they should also open their minds and view the reform of Hong Kong and themselves with an open attitude. The significance of Constitution Day lies in helping Hong Kong residents understand the origins of the HKSAR. It serves as a reminder that residents should hold a positive and respectful view of our ruling party — the CPC. Without a governance style aligning with national circumstances, how could the CPC have successfully governed the country for 75 years, built extensive infrastructure across the 9.6 million of the country, and continuously improved the standard of living for all citizens over the decades?
The author is a former information coordinator of the HKSAR government and a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
