Following two official media warnings that Hong Kong must adhere to "dynamic clearing" and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council's statement in the form of a spokesperson, Xi Jinping, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, who is the president of the country, recently issued instructions on the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong. Xi Jinping once again gave direct instructions on the epidemic situation in a certain place, and the level of attention is evident, which is equivalent to a "general mobilization order" issued to all Hong Kong-related institutions.
"Hong Kong 01" had a dialogue with Tian Feilong, director of the National Hong Kong and Macao Research Association and associate professor of the Law School of Beihang University.
In Tian Feilong's view, these specific instructions convey an authoritative and determined anti-epidemic route signal to the Hong Kong society.
The following is the interview transcript.
In the middle of the night on February 15, there were more than a dozen hospital beds in the open-air isolation area, and patients were resting on the beds.
(Photo by Li Zetong)
Rare instructions are authoritative, logical, scientific, and imperative
Hong Kong 01: Xi Jinping recently gave instructions on the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong. This is Xi Jinping’s direct instruction on the epidemic in a certain place after Wuhan, and it was issued through the Hong Kong media (Wen Wei Po and the Big Announcement). .
How should we understand the symbolic and practical significance of Xi Jinping's instructions?
Why is it specially issued through the Hong Kong media?
Tian Feilong:
Xi Jinping's supreme directive has significant symbolic and practical significance in the category of "one country, two systems".
First, this is a direct and clear action order from the country's top leader on Hong Kong's fight against the epidemic, which reflects the dynamic nature of the central government's overall governance and its role in supervising and guiding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy;
Second, this directive authoritatively ends the inextricable line and value disputes between the dynamic clearing and coexistence of the virus in Hong Kong's anti-epidemic, and elevates the "dynamic clearing" work of Hong Kong's anti-epidemic to the national level, forming a The new anti-epidemic system and new form of the community model of "Central Support - SAR Dominance - Social Synergy" is comparable in key elements to the mainland's "Dynamic Clearing" model;
Third, the Supreme Directive confirmed the establishment of a general coordination mechanism among the central government, Guangdong and Hong Kong, which constitutes an action framework for Hong Kong's epidemic prevention, which solves the problems of individual fighting, isolation of links, and fragmentation of information and resources in previous practices, which will help Hong Kong's anti-epidemic formation. synergy;
Fourth, judging from the responses of the SAR government and the Hong Kong society, it has had immediate political effects in terms of psychology and concrete actions, and has effectively promoted and led Hong Kong's anti-epidemic progress in a scientific and effective direction.
The supreme instruction was issued through the Hong Kong media. On the one hand, it was aimed at accurately targeting the Hong Kong SAR government and Hong Kong society to release a clear central decision-making will and support signal. Taking responsibility, it also reflects the proper respect and support for the SAR government to assume "main responsibility", which is in line with the spirit of the "one country, two systems" framework and the characteristics of the action orientation of epidemic prevention and control.
Hong Kong 01: In the instructions, Xi Jinping mentioned "one responsibility", "three everything", "two guarantees" and "full support".
Given the institutional arrangement of "one country, two systems", how should we fully and accurately understand Xi Jinping's instructions?
What core spirit should the SAR Government learn from it?
At the same time, what signal does the "instruction" send to the Hong Kong society?
Tian Feilong:
The authority, logic, science, and directiveness of the supreme directive are highly organically combined: "One Responsibility" is the clarification and confirmation of the basic responsibilities of the fight against the epidemic in the category of "One Country, Two Systems"; "Three Everything" is The general goal and basic method of Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work, in which sharing and transmission are the core elements of the country's "dynamic zero" model; "two guarantees" are the basic values and protective interests of Hong Kong's anti-epidemic efforts. Human security and overall social stability serve as the normative basis to support this model; while "full support" is a requirement for "one country"-related entities and institutions in the category of "one country, two systems", reflecting Hong Kong's national coordinated action in fighting the epidemic and Community model orientation.
The core spirit of these mandatory elements is to establish correct anti-epidemic values and methodologies: first, to take the health and safety of all people as the highest value and the greatest human right that must be protected by community action; second, to mobilize all The overall emergency management model activates and enhances the anti-epidemic consensus and action capability of Hong Kong society, and makes up for the shortcomings and deficiencies of legal bureaucracy and procedural administration.
These specific instructions convey an authoritative and determined signal to the Hong Kong society about the anti-epidemic route and prospects: First, "One Country, Two Systems" is a community with a shared future, and the central government is ultimately responsible for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the safety of all people. Fully support Hong Kong's fight against the epidemic; second, "coexisting with the virus" does not conform to the basic stipulations and safeguards of Chinese culture and the national constitution for the principle of community values and the supremacy of the people. "Dynamic clearing" is the only correct way for Hong Kong and the country to advance and retreat together .
On February 15, 2022, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, said in a meeting with the media before attending the Executive Council that the SAR government has purchased more than 100 million sets of rapid test kits, which will be provided to high-risk individuals first.
The SAR government has added several isolation and treatment facilities, including using several completed public housing estates as isolation facilities.
(China News Agency)
Poor epidemic prevention and control is the reason for accountability and punishment
Hong Kong 01: According to the authorization principle and division of powers of "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law of Hong Kong, epidemic prevention and control is an autonomous matter, and the SAR government assumes the primary and main responsibility.
We know that since the outbreak of the epidemic, it has become the norm for provinces and cities in the Mainland to launch strict accountability mechanisms due to poor epidemic prevention and control.
Tian Feilong:
The Supreme Directive requires the SAR government to "actually take up" the main responsibility, which includes implicit criticism of the SAR government's lack of responsibility in fighting the epidemic before, as well as instructions and expectations for better responsibility in the future.
Obviously, the responsibility evaluation standard of the Supreme Directive on anti-epidemic behavior is higher than the current behavior of the SAR government.
According to the usual principle of political accountability, under the condition that there is a clear and supreme instruction, if the behavior of the SAR government still does not meet the standard, cannot meet the basic requirements of dynamic clearing, and cannot protect the safety of all people in Hong Kong and the stability of the overall social situation It constitutes a violation of the responsibility standard set by the Supreme Directive, and the relevant responsible officials and institutional leaders need to bear political responsibility.
Accountability can be at two levels, namely, the central government's accountability to senior officials of the SAR, and the chief executive's accountability to relevant officials and civil servants of the SAR government.
Timely and proportionate accountability is an important element of democratic accountability and a normative component of good governance.
Under "one country, two systems", there may be differences in specific rules of conduct and specific responsibilities, but the principles and basic functions of political accountability are the same.
In my opinion, the poor prevention and control of the epidemic must be an important reason for accountability and the focus of punishment in the future process of epidemic prevention.
Hong Kong 01: Although the SAR government bears the "primary responsibility" for Hong Kong's epidemic prevention, the central government also has the legal basis and constitutional responsibility for "intervention" when Hong Kong itself "cannot manage and manage well". Overall stability bears the ultimate responsibility.
In addition to providing the necessary manpower and material resources, and even the "supreme instructions" from Xi Jinping, what actions will the central government take when Hong Kong itself is indeed unable to deal with the epidemic?
What does the "connection between the two places" in the process of epidemic prevention and control mean for the practice and stability of "one country, two systems"?
Tian Feilong:
"Subject responsibility" as the central node of the anti-epidemic organizational mechanism shows that the central government still trusts and expects the SAR government to solve problems within the scope of autonomy under the condition of obtaining state assistance, and win confidence and initiative, but the SAR cannot be ruled out logically. The possibility that the government will ultimately be powerless and live up to the "Supreme Instructions".
Under the framework of "One Country, Two Systems", under the condition that a high degree of autonomy is exhausted, if the epidemic in Hong Kong cannot be brought under control, the health and safety of Hong Kong residents will continue to be threatened. interests, the central government has the right to intervene in legal ways permitted by the Constitution and the Basic Law.
At present, the prevention and control of the epidemic in Hong Kong has not yet developed to the level of direct intervention and takeover by the central government.
From the perspective of the stable and effective operation of "One Country, Two Systems", the SAR government and the Hong Kong society should fully realize that
when autonomy is incapable, the state emerges
.
Only by doing a good job of self-government can the state trust and support the SAR to continue a high degree of autonomy. Otherwise, the frequent intervention and normalization of state power will inevitably lead to setbacks in the spirit and significance of autonomy, as well as the self-esteem and democratic will of the Hong Kong SAR government and the Hong Kong society. .
In fact, the central government's decision-making and support actions have fully considered the autonomy and governance prestige of the Hong Kong SAR government, as well as the democratic self-esteem of Hong Kong society, but the latter must be affordable, stable and sustainable, and live up to the trust of the central government and the expectation of "one country, two systems".
The central support for epidemic prevention and control and the linkage mechanism between the two places have further verified that "one country, two systems" is a community with a shared future and an organically unified system as a whole, rather than an isolated or even antagonistic system of "well water does not violate river water". The high degree of autonomy shared with the SAR derives from the authorization of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and each has its own responsibilities within the scope of "One Country, Two Systems", which are organically combined to dynamically and effectively safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and stability as well as the country's sovereignty, security and development interests.
"Patriots ruling Hong Kong", as the only legitimate and organic form of Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong, is a typical demonstration of the full picture of the "one country, two systems" system.
Hong Kong is facing its worst wave of Covid-19 outbreaks to date.
The picture shows the confirmed patient lying in a hospital bed outside Caritas Medical Center in Hong Kong.
(AFP)
Autonomy is still not really reborn
Hong Kong 01: Just as the turmoil of the amendment bill that broke out in 2019 tore apart and severely damaged Hong Kong society, and completely exposed the deep-seated contradictions in Hong Kong that were difficult to return, the fifth wave of the epidemic that is spreading across Hong Kong has also affected Hong Kong's various Problems and contradictions are presented in front of people: the inefficient governance capacity of the SAR government, the ambiguity in the choice of anti-epidemic models and paths, the economic structure is highly dependent on the interpersonal service industry, and the aging population is serious.
Behind these visible problems and contradictions, there are deeper cognitive traps that need to be rectified, including blind worship of liberalism, myths about the European and American models, and misunderstandings of "one country, two systems" itself.
In your opinion, can the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong force a cognitive revolution in Hong Kong society?
Tian Feilong:
In a symbolic sense, the comprehensive performance of the Hong Kong government in the face of the black riots in the face of the amendment and the outbreak of the new crown virus is similar, and they are both on the verge of losing control and failure, which shows that the Hong Kong government The self-government capacity of Hong Kong and its social foundation have not been truly transformed. There are still many weak, weak and difficult links in "patriots ruling Hong Kong".
The turmoil of Hong Kong’s amendments has brought the extreme subversive risk of “one country, two systems”. However, extremes will reverse. The central government has thus recognized the structural defects of Hong Kong’s autonomy, and made corresponding amendments to the national security law and election law, effectively reversing the governance of Hong Kong. The situation has emerged as a favorable institutional environment and conditions for "patriots ruling Hong Kong" since Hong Kong's return There are still root causes and pain points that have not been cleaned up.
The requirements of the Supreme Directive for "dynamic clearing" are also highly similar to the requirements for "stop violence and chaos" in the 2019 amendment storm.
"Stopping violence and curbing chaos" has tested the political loyalty and ability of the SAR government, as well as the collective action ability of the Hong Kong society. This "dynamic reset" is the second test, which is still aimed at "one country, two systems" and "patriots ruling Hong Kong" " core proposition.
The supreme directive and the subsequent overall action of "dynamic clearing", as well as the related social mobilization, social education and self-reform of the governance system, have more deeply approached and pointed to the core part of Hong Kong's governance system, namely the "AO (Administrator)". ) Party”, and has far-reaching structural influence and shaping significance on Hong Kong society’s understanding and recognition of the national system and the comprehensiveness, profoundness and practical binding force of “patriots ruling Hong Kong”.
The overall prevention and control of the fifth wave of the epidemic and its effectiveness have not only brought about an in-depth cognitive revolution about Hong Kong's "one country, two systems", but also an institutional revolution and cultural renewal aimed at the core of the governance system and the deep social psychology.
Hong Kong's "One Country, Two Systems" has always been reborn in the face of crises and challenges, and it will always turn crises into opportunities and create miracles. This time the epidemic "war to zero" is another major test, and it is the key to "patriots ruling Hong Kong" test.
However, the central government never avoids crises and tests, but regards relevant tests as specific historical processes and practical opportunities to verify and improve the system and vitality of the "one country, two systems" system from the perspective of historical dialectics.
Only with the political wisdom and strategic vision of historical dialectics can we understand the decision-making, action, moderation and overall control and guiding ability of the central government. The SAR government and Hong Kong society need to learn, adapt, comprehend and transform this national governance wisdom and cultural depth.