Sunday, June 13, 2021

'Two Systems' Under 'One Country' Under the Guidance of the Communist Party--Hong Kong Officials Celebrate the Centennial of the Chinese Communist Party

 

Pix Credt: Luo Huning Delivering Remarks


On the eve of the 2nd anniversary of the protests at LegCo in Admiralty that resulted in substantial violence and that, in some ways, marked a point of no return for protestors, the central and local authorities, and the international community (see HERE), a significant speech was delivered by Luo Huining, a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

在当时资本主义和社会主义两大阵营尖锐对立的背景下,作出“一国两制”政治决断,需要何等的胸怀和勇气?直至今天,我们依然可以如此发问:世界上还有哪个执政党会允许在一国之内实行两种社会制度?“一国两制”的伟大创举,改变了历史上但凡收复失地就要大动干戈的所谓定势,是中国共产党人充满政治智慧的时代创造,在人类政治文明史上写下了光彩夺目的中国方案。

In the context of the sharp confrontation between the two major camps of capitalism and socialism at that time, what kind of mind and courage was needed to make a political decision on "one country, two systems"? To this day, we can still ask this question: Which other ruling party in the world will allow the implementation of two social systems within one country? The great initiative of "One Country, Two Systems" has changed the so-called historical stereotype that whenever territory is lost it is necessary to go to war to regain it. Its creation  [One Country Two Systems] marked the era when, in the fullness of political wisdom, the Chinese Communists wrote a brilliant Chinese plan into the history of human political civilization. It marked a time when, in the fullness of political wisdom, the Chinese Communists wrote a brilliant Chinese plan into the history of human political civilization.

The occasion was important--marking the centenary of the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party.  The theme of the remarks more important still: on the incorporation of One Country Two Systems as an integral component within Chinese Marxist-Leninism, and not autonomous of it. The event was sponsored by the Liaison Office of the Central Authorities in Hong Kong and marked the increasing visibility of not merely the central authorities but, perhaps more importantly, of the more vigorous and public engagement of the vanguard party itself in Hong Kong.

The speech is worth reading carefully for its indications of the construction principles and approaches of the central authorities to the governance and oversight of Hong Kong and to the connection between the construction of Hong Kong's governance autonomy (Two Systems) strictly within the core normative principles of the political economic model of China (One Country) led by its vanguard, the Chinese Communist Party. This approach is very much consistent with analysis of the development of the approach of the central authorities to the Leninist principles within which "Two Systems" must be applied with "One Country" which is elaborated in my book, Hong Kong Between "One Country" and "Two Systems" which will launch 13 July 2021.

The original speech (in Chinese) along with a crude English translation) follows below.  Just a few observations:

1. The Sinicization of the One Country Two Systems principle is an important discursive development.  First it provides a basis for making its continued use palatable within and consistent with Chinese Marxist-Leninism in the New Era.  Second, it underlines the position of the central authorities, significantly developed since August 2019, that the One Country Two Systems principle is completely detached both from international law, and form any lingering oversight of the international community.  International law, including the norms for self-determination, fractured sovereignty, and international oversight, have no application to what is now definitively for the central authorities strictly a matter of Chinese constitutional doctrine to be interpreted solely by Chinese authorities with reference to Chinese binding political principles.

2. That the fracturing of governance that is the essence of One Country Two Systems is an entirely discretionary project.  It derives its authority from a concession of the national authorities. It represents a discretionary flexibility exercised by the central authorities to push forward its important policies of reform and opening up, of developing the nation's productive forces, and of opening a convenient window to the outside world.  But as a discretionary policy it too must change, and change with the times.  The end of the Reform and Opening Up Era and the start of the Chinese New Era, marked by important changes to the fundamental contradiction to be overcome under the leadership of the vanguard and the governing ideology, also produced a strong need to adjust the content and context within Hong Kong's "Two Systems" would be understood and operated.

3. The forward movement of development of Two Systems within One Country has never changed its fundamental objective--to eventually fully incorporate  Hing Kong within the nation.  That incorporation  necessarily requires a slow and sustained period of adjustment.  But adjustment itself must provide further incentives to move closer to the ideological heart of the nation in form and function.  It is for the Chinese Communist Party to provide the leadership necessary to guide local authorities in that project.  Deviation suggests not just disagreement but a rejection of the basic aim of joining with the nation and must therefore be understood as a substantial threat to the state, and to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. 

4. The vanguard has been able to definitely place the chaos of 2019-2020 within a historical context that is entirely compatible with the scientific determinism of fundamental Chinese Leninism.  There are two points that appear to be underlined and will play a greater role in the transformation of governance within the Two Systems formulation.  The first is the critical role of patriotic education within autonomous regions, especially in this case, an autonomous region that must shed its attachment to the culture, values, and practices of foreign powers.  A patriotic front, then, is an essential element not merely for sinicization of Hing Kong, but also as a central element of the Communist Party's work to develop Hong Kong's culture, society, and norms within the overall principles of Chinese Marxist Leninism. The second is the critical role of Communist Party leadership in the salvation of Hong Kong from the forces of chaos, of lawlessness, and of an effort to detach the SAR from a process of deeper integration with the rest of the country. 

5. It is in that context that Luo Huining offers three lessons:

(a) "First, to advance the cause of "one country, two systems", we must uphold and maintain the leadership of the Communist Party of China. History tells us that without the Communist Party, there would be no New China, no socialism with Chinese characteristics, no "one country, two systems", and no smooth return of Hong Kong and prosperity and stability after the return." [第一,推进“一国两制”事业,必须坚持和维护中国共产党的领导。历史告诉我们,没有共产党就没有新中国,就没有中国特色社会主义,就没有“一国两制”,也就没有香港的顺利回归和回归后的繁荣稳定。].  Meeting the challenge of "chaos" in Hong Kong is now understood as an essential stage in the legitimization of the role of the vanguard party and its central role as the leading political force in the country--a political force with as great an obligation to the people of the autonomous regions (whatever governance deviation is otherwise permitted them) as to the people of the rest of the nation. To have failed in Hong Kong would have constituted a direct and serious threat to Chinese Leninism and the standing of the Communist Party as the legitimate vanguard. The chaos from 2019, as the central authorities had maintained almost from its beginning, was evidence of the use of international law and legalities as a cover for the projection of foreign designs  on Hong Kong--to again detach what what only recently been reunited with the nation. Against the 黑手 [black hand] of foreign interference there is only the Communist Party and the patriotic front it leads.

(b) "Second, to advance the cause of "one country, two systems", systems and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law must be constantly improved. [第二,推进“一国两制”事业,必须不断完善同宪法和基本法实施相关的制度和机制。]. This is in accord with the fundamental premise of Chinese Leninism that itself posits the development of theory to suit the times and to anticipate not merely the fundamental challenges of the current historical era, but also to anticipate the challenges of future eras of historical development. One Country Two Systems, then, must be understood as a work in progress.  It is a living principle that changes as society changes--but it changes under the leadership of the Communist Party, not of the masses  on the streets or others.  

(c) "Third, to advance the cause of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong must be better integrated into the overall development of the country. The destiny of Hong Kong has always been closely linked with the motherland, and the development of the country has always been the biggest support for Hong Kong's development." [第三,推进“一国两制”事业,必须推动香港更好融入国家发展大局。香港的命运从来同祖国紧密相连,国家发展始终是香港发展的最大依托。]. If, indeed, One Country Two Systems is a continuous process of development under the leadership of the Communist Party, Marxist-Leninist Theory refined in China since 1949 makes clear that this movement must have a purpose.  That purpose must include the object of reunification.  This is not just a formal reunification (what the protests were interpreted to demand), but a reunification in which eventually the need for Two Systems will become irrelevant under the triumph of the One Country Principle with the Communist Party at its center.

6. The history of modern China, it now appears, begins with the decline of the last imperial dynasty, perhaps even from the end of the time of the Qianlong Emperor. That decline brought humiliation and national disintegration.  It weakened the social order and produced a situation in which the Chinese were no longer masters of their own nation.  It was only through a decades long process directed by the leading social forces eventually operating as the Communist Party of China that change occurred.  That trajectory of change includes Hong Kong which remains an unfinished project of the process of reversing the post Qianlong decay. "We firmly believe that with the historical process of the motherland becoming a socialist modern power, the majority of Hong Kong compatriots will further enhance their sense of belonging to the great motherland, further enhance their sense of identity with the Communist Party of China, and further enhance their sense of pride in being Chinese." [我们坚信,伴随祖国迈向社会主义现代化强国的历史进程,广大香港同胞一定会进一步增强对伟大祖国的归属感,进一步增强对中国共产党的认同感,进一步增强身为中国人的自豪感。].

7. The position of the central authorities, and their construction the Hong Kong narrative is clear--both to explain the period of chaos (2019) and the vindication of patriotic forces bringing back principles of prosperity and stability(2020) within China and constrained by its core political principles and under the leadership of the vanguard party. But that view is substantially incompatible with the narrative of Hong Kong that is being developed and deployed by liberal democratic states. That difference, now much clearer, will mark the new borders (abstract to be sure) between Marxist Leninist and liberal democratic world views.  Its consequences for the internal ordering of these states and their allies and dependencies, and more importantly, for shaping the relations between them, that that is decoupled but intensely interactive, will be quite profound. 

8. There is no going back to conditions before June 2019. The continued development of the character and methods of the great patriotic campaign, that started with the increasingly pointed application of the National Security, Anthem, and Flag Laws, is producing a great rectification (整风 zhěng fēng). "Those who clamor for the “end of one-party dictatorship” and deny the party’s leadership of the cause of “one country, two systems”, those who attempt to use Hong Kong as a geopolitical pawn, a tool to contain China, and a bridgehead to infiltrate the mainland, are destroying the foundation of the “one country, two systems” system. These are the real enemies of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability." [那些叫嚣“结束一党专政”、否定党对“一国两制”事业领导的人,那些企图把香港作为地缘政治的棋子、遏制中国的工具、渗透内地桥头堡的人,是在毁坏“一国两制”制度根基,是香港繁荣稳定的真正大敌。]. This is not a revelation; the central authorities, and certainly through the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office almost since the start of the protests, the central authorities have been making this point.  It is not clear that they were believed. The reality is unavoidable. Mao Zedong’s “On the People’s Democratic Dictatorship,” hovers closely around this speech. Its insights, in historical context, can be avoided only at great peril

9. That zhěng fēng will not only draw a strong line between patriotic forces and others in Hong Kong--as identified and corrected under the leadership of the vanguard; it will also more clearly distinguish between Marxist Leninist and liberal democratic-internationalist ideologies. It is unwise to forget Xi Jinping's statement underlining the focus of this trajectory in his Report to the 19th CPC Congress.

We will remain committed to the policy for the Hong Kong people to govern Hong Kong and the Macao people to govern Macao, with patriots playing the principal role. We will develop and strengthen the ranks of patriots who love both our country and their regions, and foster greater patriotism and a stronger sense of national identity among the people in Hong Kong and Macao. With this, our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao will share both the historic responsibility of national rejuvenation and the pride of a strong and prosperous China. (Xi Jinping, “Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (18 October 2017) ; discussed Larry Catá Backer, Hong Kong Between 'One Country' and 'Two Systems', pp. 155 et seq.).

That distinction will be more precisely drawn no doubt; and the policing of its borders may move local authorities from targeted rectification to 整风运动 a rectification movement within Hong Kong to purge anti-patriotic elements. The speech makes clear that decoupling of these ideologies, and the rectification (zhěng fēng) of destabilizing ideologies, people and of foreign influences in Hong Kong, are key elements in the challenges that must be overcome by the vanguard in the New Era.  "With the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core at the helm and the united struggle of 1.4 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Hong Kong and Macau, the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will surely be realized, and a new chapter in the practice of "one country, two systems" in the new era will surely continue to be written!"[有以习近平同志为核心的党中央掌舵领航,有包括港澳同胞在内的14亿中国人民的团结奋斗,中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦一定能够实现,新时代的“一国两制”实践一定能续写崭新篇章!].

 

 娥百年伟业的“香江篇章”

——在“中国共产党与‘一国两制’”


主题论坛上的主旨演讲

(2021年6月12日)

骆 惠 宁

尊敬的董建华副主席、梁振英副主席,

林郑月行政长官,

各位嘉宾,各位朋友:

  大家上午好!再过十几天,就是中国共产党百年华诞,也是香港回归祖国24周年。今天,中央驻港机构很高兴与特区政府、社会各界一道,共同回顾中国共产党领导“一国两制”事业走过的非凡历程,从历史中汲取继续前进的智慧和力量。

  百年前的中国,山河破碎,民不聊生,中华民族深陷半殖民地半封建社会的苦难深渊。百年后的今天,中华民族已经迎来从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。是中国共产党团结带领中国人民实现了这一翻天覆地的历史巨变。习近平总书记深刻指出,“我们党的一百年,是矢志践行初心使命的一百年,是筚路蓝缕奠基立业的一百年,是创造辉煌开辟未来的一百年”。香港以自己的特殊经历融入了这部壮丽史诗,“一国两制”事业成为其中的华彩篇章。

  ——中国共产党开创了“一国两制”事业。上世纪80年代,为解决历史遗留问题,邓小平等中国共产党人从国家民族整体利益和香港同胞切身利益出发,创造性地提出了“一国两制”伟大构想。此后十多年,中国共产党领导制定香港基本法,构建“一国两制”制度框架,筹建第一个特别行政区,实现了举世关注的香港平稳过渡和顺利回归。在当时资本主义和社会主义两大阵营尖锐对立的背景下,作出“一国两制”政治决断,需要何等的胸怀和勇气?直至今天,我们依然可以如此发问:世界上还有哪个执政党会允许在一国之内实行两种社会制度?“一国两制”的伟大创举,改变了历史上但凡收复失地就要大动干戈的所谓定势,是中国共产党人充满政治智慧的时代创造,在人类政治文明史上写下了光彩夺目的中国方案。

  ——中国共产党发展了“一国两制”事业。回归以来,中国共产党领导香港“一国两制”事业在探索中不断前进。政治上,正确处理维护中央全面管治权和保障特别行政区高度自治权的关系,就基本法五次释法,颁布实施香港国安法,完善特别行政区选举制度,香港“一国两制”的宪制基础愈加完善。经济上,把发挥祖国内地坚强后盾作用和提高香港自身竞争力有机结合,出台系列政策惠港惠民,支持香港抵御两次金融危机和两次重大疫情,使香港在各种风雨来袭时始终坚挺不倒。文化上,鼓励香港发挥国际大都会中外文化交融的优势,扩大深化与内地交流合作,广泛参与国际文化艺术交流活动,香港的国际影响力日益提升。我很想知道,那些在回归前断定“香港已死”的西方媒体,该如何解释香港“持续多年被评选为全球最具竞争力地区”这一事实?可以推断,那些今天仍在唱衰香港、宣称“两制已死”的人,历史将继续以无可辩驳的事实回应他们的无知与偏见。

  ——中国共产党捍卫了“一国两制”事业。回归以来,香港“一国两制”实践取得了举世公认的成功。但在反中乱港势力的煽惑下,也出现了“积非成是”的观念误区和“变形”“走样”的现实风险。特别是2019年爆发的“修例风波”,严重践踏法治和社会秩序,严重破坏香港繁荣稳定,严重挑战“一国两制”原则底线。许多人担忧,“一国两制”还能不能搞下去?面对香港回归以来最严峻的局面,以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持依法治港,筑牢了维护国家安全的防线,维护了“爱国者治港”根本原则,粉碎了反中乱港势力“颜色革命”的图谋,“一国两制”重回正轨。很难设想,如果没有中央一系列拨乱反正的重大决策,香港如何能从“黑暴”“揽炒”中走出,又怎能迎来由乱及治的重大转折?正是在此过程中,香港各界进一步认识到,“一国”是“两制”的前提和基础;“一国”是根,根深才能叶茂;“一国”是本,本固才能枝荣。

  嘉宾们、朋友们!

  历史记录过去,也镜鉴未来。“一国两制”在香港的实践历程,带给我们诸多教益和启迪。

  第一,推进“一国两制”事业,必须坚持和维护中国共产党的领导。历史告诉我们,没有共产党就没有新中国,就没有中国特色社会主义,就没有“一国两制”,也就没有香港的顺利回归和回归后的繁荣稳定。中国共产党的领导地位,是历史和人民的选择。中国共产党是宪法规定的中国特色社会主义的领导者,也是当之无愧的“一国两制”事业的创立者、领导者、践行者和维护者。没有谁比中国共产党更深切懂得“一国两制”的价值,没有谁比中国共产党更执着坚守“一国两制”的初心。那些叫嚣“结束一党专政”、否定党对“一国两制”事业领导的人,那些企图把香港作为地缘政治的棋子、遏制中国的工具、渗透内地桥头堡的人,是在毁坏“一国两制”制度根基,是香港繁荣稳定的真正大敌。事实将继续证明,维护中国共产党的领导,就是维护“一国两制”,就是维护宪法和基本法确定的特别行政区宪制秩序,就是维护香港的光明前途和香港同胞的根本福祉。

  第二,推进“一国两制”事业,必须不断完善同宪法和基本法实施相关的制度和机制。制度的生命在于自我革新、自我发展。过去24年,中国共产党不断丰富发展“一国两制”理论和实践,将“一国两制”从治国理政的“崭新课题”和“重大课题”,提升为中国特色社会主义的“基本方略”和“显著优势”,以香港治理的成就丰富了党在新时代治国理政的内涵。面向未来,在国家不断推进治理体系和治理能力现代化、中国特色社会主义制度更加成熟定型的过程中,中央将继续坚持和完善“一国两制”制度体系。香港与宪制秩序相关的制度机制,有效的要坚持,缺失的要修补,跑偏的要纠正,过时的要更新。事实将继续证明,堵塞了漏洞、弥补了缺陷、兼顾各方利益的“一国两制”制度体系,将更好维护国家主权、安全和发展利益,更好落实中央全面管治权,更好促进香港长期繁荣稳定,更好保障香港居民的自由和民主权利。

  第三,推进“一国两制”事业,必须推动香港更好融入国家发展大局。香港的命运从来同祖国紧密相连,国家发展始终是香港发展的最大依托。早在上世纪60年代内地经济十分困难的情况下,中央即投巨资兴建东深供水工程,开通“三趟快车”,保障了香港80%的用水和90%以上的鲜活冷冻食品供应。改革开放后,香港同胞到内地投资兴业,在促进国家经济腾飞的同时,迎来香港发展的黄金时代。回归后香港没有向国家缴纳过一分钱税收,而在遇到困难时总能得到国家的倾力支持。今天的中国高度开放、日新月异,足以凭国家之大、活力之盛,为香港增优势、拓空间、破难题提供强大动力。特别是国家构建新发展格局、深化粤港澳大湾区建设、实施“十四五”规划,更为香港创造了不容错失的重大机遇。事实将继续证明,只要在国家发展大局中找准定位、扮演更积极角色,香港定能培育新优势、发挥新作用、实现新发展,不断解决经济民生领域深层次矛盾和问题,让发展成果真正惠及广大市民。

  嘉宾们、朋友们!

  近代中国命运多舛,鸦片战争让香港被迫离开了祖国。那时的中华大地,强盗横行、租界林立,“华人与狗不得入内”,处处是民族的屈辱,哪里有个人的尊严?今天,中国共产党带领人民创建的新中国,已经可以平视这个世界了,亿万中华儿女当家作主、扬眉吐气。我们坚信,伴随祖国迈向社会主义现代化强国的历史进程,广大香港同胞一定会进一步增强对伟大祖国的归属感,进一步增强对中国共产党的认同感,进一步增强身为中国人的自豪感。有以习近平同志为核心的党中央掌舵领航,有包括港澳同胞在内的14亿中国人民的团结奋斗,中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦一定能够实现,新时代的“一国两制”实践一定能续写崭新篇章!

  The Hong Kong Episode in The Centennial Success Story of The Communist Party of China

 

The "Hong Kong Chapter" of a century-old cause

——In "The Communist Party of China and' One Country, Two Systems'"

Keynote speech at the theme forum

(June 12, 2021)
Luo Huining

Dear Vice Chairman Tung Chee Hwa, Vice Chairman Liang Zhenying, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Distinguished guests and friends:

   Good morning everyone! The 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party and the 24th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland will take place in little more than ten days time. Today, the central government agency in Hong Kong is very happy to work with the SAR government and all sectors of society to review the extraordinary journey of the “One Country, Two Systems” undertaking led by the Communist Party of China, and to draw wisdom and strength from history n order to move forward.

   A hundred years ago in China, the mountains and rivers were broken [the state had disintegrated], the people had no livelihood, and the Chinese nation was trapped in the abyss of suffering in a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. Today, one hundred years later, the Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap from standing up, getting rich, and getting stronger. It was the Chinese Communist Party that united and led the Chinese people to realize this earth-shaking historical change. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out profoundly, "The one hundred years of our party is the one hundred years that we are committed to fulfilling our original mission, the one hundred years that we have laid the foundation and the foundation, and the one hundred years that we will create brilliance and open up the future." Hong Kong has integrated into this magnificent epic with its own special experience, and the cause of "One Country, Two Systems" has become a splendid chapter in it.

  ——The Communist Party of China initiated the cause of "One Country, Two Systems". In the 1980s, in order to solve the problems left over from history, Deng Xiaoping and other Chinese Communists creatively put forward the great concept of "One Country, Two Systems", starting from the overall interests of the country and the nation and the vital interests of Hong Kong compatriots. After more than ten years, the Chinese Communist Party led the formulation of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the establishment of the "one country, two systems" institutional framework, and preparations for the establishment of the first special administrative region, achieving the smooth transition and smooth return of Hong Kong that has attracted worldwide attention. In the context of the sharp confrontation between the two major camps of capitalism and socialism at that time, what kind of mind and courage was needed to make a political decision on "one country, two systems"? To this day, we can still ask this question: Which other ruling party in the world will allow the implementation of two social systems within one country? The great pioneering undertaking of "One Country, Two Systems" changed the so-called historical stereotype that whenever territory is lost, it is necessary to go to war to regain it. Its creation [One Country Two Systems] marked the era when, in the fullness of political wisdom, the Chinese Communists wrote a brilliant Chinese plan into the history of human political civilization.

  ——The Chinese Communist Party has developed the cause of "One Country, Two Systems". Since the return, the Communist Party of China has led Hong Kong's "One Country, Two Systems" cause to keep advancing through exploration. Politically, correctly handle the relationship between safeguarding the central’s overall governance power and guaranteeing the high degree of autonomy of the Special Administrative Region, interpreting the Basic Law five times, promulgating and implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law, improving the Special Administrative Region’s electoral system, and improving Hong Kong’s "one country, two systems" constitutional basis . Economically, it organically combines the strong backing role of the mainland of the motherland with the enhancement of Hong Kong's own competitiveness, and introduces a series of policies to benefit Hong Kong and the people, and support Hong Kong in resisting two financial crises and two major epidemics, so that Hong Kong will always be able to weather all kinds of storms. Culturally, Hong Kong is encouraged to take advantage of the integration of Chinese and foreign cultures in an international metropolis, expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation with the Mainland, and participate in international cultural and artistic exchange activities. Hong Kong's international influence is increasing. I really want to know how those Western media who concluded that "Hong Kong is dead" before the reunification can explain the fact that Hong Kong has been voted as the most competitive region in the world for many years? It can be inferred that those who are still singing bad news about Hong Kong today and claiming that the "two systems are dead" will continue to respond to their ignorance and prejudice with irrefutable facts.

  ——The Chinese Communist Party has defended the cause of "One Country, Two Systems". Since the reunification, Hong Kong's practice of "one country, two systems" has achieved universally recognized success. However, under the instigation of the anti-China forces to disrupt Hong Kong, the misunderstanding of the concept of "accumulating failure to become true" and the actual risk of "deformation" and "out-of-shape" have also appeared. In particular, the "Regulations Amendment Disturbance" that broke out in 2019 severely trampled on the rule of law and social order, severely undermined the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and severely challenged the bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle. Many people worry about whether "one country, two systems" can continue? Facing the most severe situation since the return of Hong Kong, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core insisted on administering Hong Kong according to law, building a line of defense to safeguard national security, upholding the fundamental principle of "patriots ruling Hong Kong", and smashing the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong. The "color revolution" scheme, "one country, two systems" is back on track. It is difficult to imagine how Hong Kong can get out of the "black violence" and "speculation" without a series of major decisions made by the central government to correct chaos, and how can it usher in a major transition from chaos and governance? It is in this process that people from all walks of life in Hong Kong have further realized that "one country" is the prerequisite and foundation of "two systems"; "one country" is the root, and only with deep roots can it ["two systems"] it flourish.

   Guests, friends!

   History records the past and mirrors the future. The practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong has brought us many lessons and enlightenment.

   First, to advance the cause of "one country, two systems", we must uphold and maintain the leadership of the Communist Party of China. History tells us that without the Communist Party, there would be no New China, no socialism with Chinese characteristics, no “one country, two systems”, and no smooth return of Hong Kong and prosperity and stability after the return. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the choice of history and the people. The Communist Party of China is the leader of socialism with Chinese characteristics stipulated in the Constitution, and the founder, leader, practitioner and defender of the well-deserved cause of "one country, two systems". No one understands the value of "one country, two systems" more deeply than the Chinese Communist Party, and no one sticks to the original aspiration of "one country, two systems" more persistently than the Chinese Communist Party. Those who clamor for the “end of one-party dictatorship” and deny the party’s leadership of the cause of “one country, two systems”, those who attempt to use Hong Kong as a geopolitical pawn, a tool to contain China, and a bridgehead to infiltrate the mainland, are destroying the foundation of the “one country, two systems” system. It is the real enemy of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Facts will continue to prove that safeguarding the leadership of the Communist Party of China means safeguarding "one country, two systems", safeguarding the constitutional order of the special administrative region established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and safeguarding the bright future of Hong Kong and the fundamental well-being of Hong Kong compatriots.

  Second, to advance the cause of "one country, two systems", systems and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law must be continuously improved. The life of the system lies in self-renewal and self-development. In the past 24 years, the Communist Party of China has continuously enriched and developed the theory and practice of "One Country, Two Systems", elevating "One Country, Two Systems" from a "new topic" and "major topic" of governance to a "basic strategy" and "significant advantage" of socialism with Chinese characteristics. "The achievements of Hong Kong's governance have enriched the party's connotation of governing the country in the new era. Facing the future, as the country continues to modernize its governance system and governance capabilities, and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics becomes more mature and finalized, the central government will continue to uphold and improve the "one country, two systems" system. Hong Kong's institutional mechanisms related to the constitutional order must be adhered to if they are effective, those that are missing must be repaired, those that are deviated must be corrected, and those that are outdated must be updated. Facts will continue to prove that the "one country, two systems" system that plugs loopholes, compensates for defects, and takes into account the interests of all parties will better safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, better implement the central government's overall governance, and better promote Hong Kong in the long-term Prosperity and stability will better protect the freedom and democratic rights of Hong Kong residents.

   Third, to advance the cause of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong must be better integrated into the overall development of the country. The destiny of Hong Kong has always been closely linked with the motherland, and the development of the country has always been the biggest support for Hong Kong's development. As early as the 1960s when the mainland economy was very difficult, the central government invested heavily in the construction of the Dongshen water supply project and opened the "three express trains" to ensure 80% of Hong Kong's water supply and more than 90% of the supply of fresh, live and frozen food. After the reform and opening up, Hong Kong compatriots went to the mainland to invest and start businesses. While promoting the country's economic take-off, it ushered in the golden age of Hong Kong's development. After the reunification, Hong Kong has not paid a penny of tax to the state, but it can always get the full support of the state when it encounters difficulties. Today's China is highly open and changing with each passing day. With its size and vitality, Hong Kong can provide a powerful impetus for Hong Kong to increase its advantages, expand its space, and solve problems. In particular, the country's establishment of a new development pattern, deepening of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and implementation of the "14th Five-Year Plan" have created major opportunities for Hong Kong that cannot be missed. Facts will continue to prove that as long as we find a correct position in the overall situation of national development and play a more active role, Hong Kong will definitely be able to cultivate new advantages, play new roles, achieve new development, and constantly solve deep-seated contradictions and problems in the economic and people’s livelihoods, so that the real development results can be achieved. Benefit the general public.

   Guests, friends!

  It was China's fate in its not too distant past to suffer many contradictory misfortunes. The Opium War forced Hong Kong to leave the motherland. In the land of China at that time, robbers and concessions were rampant. "Chinese and dogs were not allowed to enter." There was national humiliation everywhere. Where is personal dignity? Today, the new China that the Communist Party of China led the people to create can already see the world level up, and hundreds of millions of Chinese people are the masters of their own affairs and are proud of themselves. We firmly believe that with the historical process of the motherland becoming a socialist modern power, the majority of Hong Kong compatriots will further enhance their sense of belonging to the great motherland, further enhance their sense of identity with the Communist Party of China, and further enhance their sense of pride in being Chinese. With the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core at the helm and the united struggle of 1.4 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Hong Kong and Macau, the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will surely be realized, and a new chapter in the practice of "one country, two systems" in the new era will surely continue to be written!"

  The Hong Kong Episode in The Centennial Success Story of The Communist Party of China

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