"National Constitution Day" forum The online forum was held today (4th). The Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the Director of the Liaison Office Luo Huining gave speeches.
Luo Huining said that to maintain the constitutional order of the special administrative region, it is necessary to respect and maintain the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
Not recognizing the supremacy of the Constitution in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and disrespecting the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party means forgetting how the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region came to be. In fact, it negates the constitutional foundation of "one country, two systems."
He also mentioned that the "Regulations Amendment Disturbance" in 2019 has seriously challenged the authority of the Constitution and the Basic Law, severely impacted the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region, and seriously threatened the security of the power of the Special Administrative Region and the national security.
In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the National People's Congress has successively made decisions on establishing and improving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's legal system and implementation mechanism for safeguarding national security, and improving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's electoral system.
Luo Huining also said that in the future, we will further implement the legal system and enforcement mechanism of the Special Administrative Region to safeguard national security, improve the system of the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region being accountable to the central government, improve Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country, and complement and coordinate development mechanisms with the Mainland.
The following is the full text of Luo Huining's speech:
Dear friends, good afternoon everyone. This symposium will focus on the "Constitution and "One Country, Two Systems"" to carry out discussions. It will fully understand the foundation and protection of the "Constitution" in the practice of "One Country, Two Systems", consolidate and expand Hong Kong's general trend of governance, and promote " "One country, two systems" is of great significance.
I have three points to share with you:
First, the Constitution establishes the foundation of the "one country, two systems" system.
The Constitution is the fundamental law of the country, with the highest legal status and the highest legal effect nationwide.
Article 31 of the "Constitution" stipulates that "the state may establish special administrative regions when necessary, and the system implemented in the special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law by the National People's Congress in accordance with specific conditions."
Among the provisions of Article 62 on the powers of the National People's Congress, item 14 stipulates that "decisions on the establishment and system of special administrative regions" establishes the constitutional foundation for the establishment of a "one country, two systems" system.
Without the authorization of the Constitution, there would be no Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, no Basic Law of Hong Kong, no concrete, legalized, and institutionalized "One Country, Two Systems" policy, and no smooth transition and smooth transfer of power upon Hong Kong’s return. "And the Basic Law" together constitute the constitutional basis of the administrative region of the Special Administrative Region.
2021 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. As we all know, the Communist Party of China, as the leading force of the People's Republic of China and the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, is a choice of history and the people, and it is also a clear stipulation of the Constitution.
To maintain the constitutional order of the special administrative region, it is necessary to respect and maintain the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
Not recognizing the supremacy of the Constitution in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and disrespecting the leadership of the Communist Party of China is simply forgetting how the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region came from. In fact, it negates the constitutional foundation of "one country, two systems."
Only by deep rooting can you flourish. Only by firmly establishing the awareness of the Constitution and resolutely defending the authority of the Constitution can the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" maintain the right direction.
Second, the Constitution guarantees that the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" will be stable and far-reaching.
After the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, it was re-incorporated into the national governance system. Under the protection of the Constitution and the Basic Law, Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" practice has achieved universally recognized success.
Since the reunification, the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee have made many decisions. The NPC Standing Committee has interpreted the Basic Law five times, solving a series of major issues that the Special Administrative Region itself cannot solve from the constitutional level, and effectively guaranteeing and supporting the Special Administrative Region. The government governs in accordance with the law.
As you all know, for a period of time, under the influence of various internal and external complex factors, the "anti-China and chaotic Hong Kong" forces have continued to grow. In 2019, there was a "Regulations Amendment Disturbance", and Hong Kong once saw rampant "Hong Kong independence" and "black violence" The grim situation has seriously challenged the authority of the Constitution and the Basic Law, severely impacted the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region, and seriously threatened the security of the power of the Special Administrative Region and the national security.
At very moments, the central government acted decisively. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the National People's Congress has successively made decisions on establishing and improving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's legal system and implementation mechanism for safeguarding national security, and improving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's electoral system.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress implemented corresponding legislation and amendments in accordance with the decision, which plugged major legal loopholes, maintained social peace, safeguarded the security of the regime, and brought about a major transition from chaos to governance in Hong Kong.
Practice tells us that the protective effect of the Constitution and the Basic Law on the practice of "one country, two systems" is not only reflected in the regulation and adjustment of the normal state, but also manifested in the extraordinary moments of clearing the source and correcting chaos.
Looking back on the course of the practice of "One Country, Two Systems", the central government has always adhered to the rule of law in Hong Kong. Every time the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee use constitutional power, it has revealed to the world a truth to safeguard the overall and fundamental interests of Hong Kong compatriots and maintain Hong Kong. The long-term prosperity and stability of China is inseparable from the escort of the Constitution and the Basic Law.
Third, the Constitution leads the cause of "One Country, Two Systems" to advance with the times.
The Constitution stipulates the fundamental tasks of the country. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the people of all ethnic groups in China are building our country into a prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious, and beautiful modern socialist country, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. The Chinese nation has ushered in a great leap from standing up, getting rich to becoming strong, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process.
"One country, two systems" is one of the significant advantages of our country's national system and governance system. Hong Kong should not only be absent on the road to achieving national prosperity and national rejuvenation, but should also advance with the times and fully play a unique role.
The realization of this goal is inseparable from the guidance and guarantee of the Constitution and the Basic Law.
To this end, it is necessary to improve the system and mechanism related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Special Administrative Region, improve the system for the central government to exercise full governance over the Special Administrative Region in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, and further implement the Special Administrative Region's role in safeguarding national security. The legal system and enforcement mechanism will be improved, and the system for the chief executive of the special administrative region to be accountable to the central government will be improved.
At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen the education of the Constitution and the Basic Law in the whole society, and continuously enhance the national consciousness and patriotism of the Hong Kong compatriots.
Looking to the future, we firmly believe that under the norms and guidelines of the Constitution and the Basic Law, with the full and effective implementation of the principle of "patriots ruling Hong Kong", Hong Kong will achieve good governance and good governance. This process will surely be the masters of Hong Kong people and the law. The process of Hong Kong's organic reunification will also be a process in which the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents are protected in accordance with the law. It is a process of continuous progress in Hong Kong society and continuous development of individuals. Hong Kong will have a better tomorrow.
thank you all.