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[01 Weekly Editorial] To protect both "one country" and "two systems"

2020-07-13T14:48:18.440Z


After the "National Security Act of the Port Area" came into effect on the evening of June 30, the National Security Committee of the Special Administrative Region, the Department of Justice and the relevant national security departments of the Police Department have started work. The Central Security Office in Hong Kong was also unveiled on Wednesday (July 8), which means country


editorial

Written by: Hong Kong 01

2020-07-13 06:00

Last update date: 2020-07-13 06:00

After the "National Security Act of the Port Area" came into effect on the evening of June 30, the National Security Committee of the Special Administrative Region, the Department of Justice and the relevant national security departments of the Police Department have started work. The Central Security Office in Hong Kong was also unveiled on Wednesday (July 8), which means The configuration of the national security field is in place. Since the reunification, the Hong Kong government has been in vain in safeguarding national security. The Central People’s Government’s move this time is tantamount to taking the lead. For Hong Kong people with weak national concepts, the legislation is a late announcement, reminding everyone that the "two systems" must be Built on "One Country".

However, just as the "one country, two systems" must be continuously improved in practice, the "One Country, Two Systems", which has been showing signs of disorder in recent years, has disturbed the "Harbour Area National Security Law". It must also be gradually improved in practice to achieve its proper proportions. As a matter of fact, this law went from being brewed to formally enacted, and then put into practice. Because of its great strength and rareness in Hong Kong, many people worry that it will be overkill, and ultimately make it possible for "one country" to be protected. The "control" feature has been downplayed. Due to the Sino-US game, the United States systematically organized international public opinion to attack this legislation. Hong Kong people are easily affected by international public opinion, and their worries will be difficult to reverse. If the situation continues and exacerbates misunderstandings, "one country, two systems" may encounter even greater challenges. This is something that the Central Government and the Hong Kong Government must pay attention to and be prepared for.

The "One Country, Two Systems", which has been showing signs of disorder in recent years, has disturbed the "Minato City National Security Law." It must also be gradually improved in practice to achieve proper results. (Profile picture)

Everyone understands that "one country, two systems" was a special constitutional arrangement made by the central government for understanding Hong Kong. The key is the word "thinking". For historical reasons, Hong Kong’s culture and lifestyle are different from the mainland. The Chinese government flexibly implements the “two systems” on the premise of resuming the exercise of Hong Kong’s sovereignty and advancing the process of national unification. However, due to the originality of this constitutional arrangement, there is no experience to learn from beforehand, and its specific implementation will inevitably continue to be explored, and will even stumble, and the reform and opening-up "cross the river by feeling the stones" has the same meaning.

Looking back now, it is really not easy to be right-handed. Sometimes it is too much, sometimes it is too late, and things that do not meet the original intention of "one country, two systems" often occur. "One country, two systems" is the largest common denominator between the central government and Hong Kong, but both parties have made mistakes: For the central government, the negative "one country, two systems" summarized as "well water does not make rivers" makes Hong Kong unable to integrate in an orderly manner after the reunification. "One Country"-Article 23 of the Basic Law of 2003 was abolished halfway, the 2012 National Retreat came back, and even the "Hong Kong Independence" tendency in the "occupy of China", Mong Kok riots, and anti-amendment riots, etc. For many Hong Kong people, their identification with the country seems to be non-existent. Some people regard "high degree of autonomy" as a high wall separating Hong Kong from the mainland. Some elites identify themselves as members of the West. During the conflict, it automatically acted as a spokesperson for the United States. The most extreme case was that many demonstrators chanted "Hong Kong's independence and the only way out" last year, ignoring Hong Kong's constitutional status in the country. Can this be said that Hong Kong is fighting for and consolidating "one country, two systems"?

"Hong Kong 01" never thinks that "self-determination" and "Hong Kong independence" are the way out for Hong Kong, nor does it agree that linking the Anglo-American government and the country will work regardless of the starting point. Now the central government is implementing the "Minato City National Security Law" in a thunderous manner, cutting off some people's wild imagination that day. The courage is not surprising. What is clear is that the legislation came into effect immediately after it came into effect. The recent challenge to the bottom line of the Central Principles has indeed converged a lot, reflecting the powerful deterrent effect of this legislation. More importantly, it has changed the imagination of many citizens about "one country", realizing that the central government really exists in Hong Kong, correcting the vague state of the past concept of the country, and understanding that Hong Kong has no conditions to override the central government and act on its own. It is impossible to engage in so-called "self-determination" or "Hong Kong independence." It can even be said that for the first time, the people of Hong Kong have experienced the meaning of "full governance", but it is so expensive.

"Hong Kong 01" never thinks that "self-determination" and "Hong Kong independence" are the way out for Hong Kong. (Profile picture/Reuters)

The legal provisions contain tension and the characteristics of the two systems must be maintained

However, the words are divided into two heads and said that although the "Minato City National Security Law" is effective in strengthening Hong Kong people's understanding of "one country", there is no room for deliberation in maintaining the characteristics of "two systems", and careless handling will lead to "one country, two systems" There was a dark surge, causing alternative instability.

Many people are dissatisfied with the legislation and even think that this is "one country, one system", but we have seen the central government actively maintain the "two systems" difference. In the past, the Hong Kong government was authorized to enact legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law, and the implementation of the National Security Law in the Mainland in 2015 did not provide for the application of Hong Kong, fully demonstrating the trust and understanding of the central government in Hong Kong at the national security level. Now, even if the Central Government has enacted the Minato Security Act under the background of anti-amendment riots and Sino-U.S. changes, the content of the law reveals the understanding of Hong Kong's "high degree of autonomy" everywhere. Apart from "special circumstances", the SAR is allowed to have jurisdiction over national security cases. In all countries, no central government of a country would give local governments such great powers to manage national security. Many commentators questioned that "one country, two systems" is dead, but how does this view explain that the central government has not chosen to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to law enforcement in Hong Kong?

On the other hand, there are indeed many tensions and contradictions in the "National Security Act of the Hong Kong District". If it is not handled well, it will deform the "two systems". For example, Article 22 prohibits "anyone who organizes, plans, implements, or participates in the following acts aimed at subverting state power by the use of force, threat of use of force, or other illegal means." This inevitably raises doubts. Can Hong Kong people continue to mourn in the future The slogan of "June 4th" and shouting "End the one-party dictatorship"? For another example, Article 54 stipulates that the Central National Security Office in Hong Kong can manage overseas NGOs and news organizations in Hong Kong. What exactly does “management” mean? Will this “management” cause relevant organizations to be unwilling to continue operating in Hong Kong and weaken Hong Kong's internationalization and diversity? Will it weaken the freedom of the press that Hong Kong people have always cherished and protected by the Basic Law?

Can Hong Kong people continue to mourn the "June 4th" publicly and shout the slogan "End the one-party dictatorship"? (Profile picture)

Ruling a small country, mastering the key to success

We absolutely disagree with the populist thesis that "one country, two systems" is dead, but we agree that it is facing the biggest test since its return. The situation is grim and the central government must complete this test with Hong Kong people. Hong Kong is far from "one country, one system", but the tensions and contradictions in the provisions of the "National Security Act of the Hong Kong District" do cause people to worry whether the "one country, two systems" will be unbalanced in the future. It can be expected that the "National Security Act of the Hong Kong District" can "stop riots and control chaos" on a practical level, but the degree of suspicion and mistrust of the Hong Kong community in the Mainland may also increase. "One country, two systems" cannot be actively developed under the condition of long-term mutual loss of trust between the two places. Therefore, the law enforcement departments of the Hong Kong Government and the Mainland must effectively protect the lawful rights and interests of citizens when handling related cases, and make such protection visible to people. In order to prevent the original implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" smooth implementation of the "Minato City National Security Law" reduced to "one country, two systems" legislation.

The Tao Te Ching has a cloud: "Governing a great country if it cooks fresh." It means that governing a country is like cooking a small dish. You must master the heat and pay attention to the condiments to be just right. This old saying is not without reference value to the central government-"one country, two systems" is one of the 13 "significant advantages" of the national system and the national governance system. It is an experiment of the socialist country in governing the capitalist special zone, and it also entrusts the model of Taiwan and promotes the country. A unified vision. After the implementation of the National Security Law of the Minato District, how to correct the shortcomings of over-emphasizing the "two systems" in the era of "well water does not violate river waters", and avoid diluting the characteristics of the "two systems" in the era of "full governance" It is the central government's attention to master the fire.

We are convinced that the central government has the sincerity and determination to fully implement "one country, two systems". Facts have proved that the past "one country, two systems" had cognitive deviations that must be corrected and reformed. But how to implement it tests the wisdom of leaders and Hong Kong people, which requires an interactive process. In his speech at the inaugural ceremony of the 5th SAR Government in 2017, President Xi Jinping described that "one country, two systems" condenses the wisdom of China that has hundreds of rivers and a large capacity, but specific implementation requires continuous exploration. This fully shows that leaders have a clear understanding of the difficulty of practicing "one country, two systems."

At present, there are no conviction cases in the "National Security Act of the Port Area", and the specific practice remains to be seen. In addition, the Sino-US Century Game will intensify. The United States and its allies will only continue to use Hong Kong, and it is certain that all kinds of doubts and unwarranted accusations will be eliminated. No day. Both the central government and Hong Kong mainstream public opinion accept "one country, two systems", but it will take great wisdom to make this highly creative constitutional arrangement thrive and complete Hong Kong's "return of the people".

The principle of "one country" needs to take root in Hong Kong. It cannot rely on top-down high-pressure legislation. It also needs patience to convince the people of Hong Kong that the "two systems" are operating effectively. They can understand the habits and understanding of Hong Kong people. "With big things and small benevolence", only in this way, "one country, two systems" can be stable and far.

[01 Weekly Editorial] National Security Act empowers HKSAR officials

[01 Weekly Editorial] Use legislation to rationalize the two systems and revive a high degree of autonomy

[01 Weekly Editorial] Hong Kong should reflect on how to benefit "one country, two systems"

Browse more weekly articles:【01 Weekly News Page】

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Hong Kong version of National Security Act One Country Two Systems 01 Weekly Editorial

Source: hk1

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