The principle of One Country, Two Systems – while “tested on all fronts” since China resumed sovereignty in 1997 – remains the “best institutional arrangement” for Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, Chief Executive John Lee has said on the 27th anniversary of the Handover.
The policy that allowed Hong Kong to maintain a capitalist system while being part of socialist China was a “great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics” and the “best solution” to the historical issues of Hong Kong, Lee wrote in a 6,574-word article published on Monday.
Monday marked 27 years since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule after it was colonised by Britain. This year also marked the first Handover anniversary since the city passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, a locally-legislated security law more commonly known as Article 23.
Celebrations for the 27th Handover anniversary began on Monday morning, with top government officials and other guests wearing patriotic pins which featured the Chinese national flag and the regional flag at a ceremony and reception in Admiralty.
Among those on the front row of the flag-raising ceremony were Lee, former chief executives Carrie Lam, Leung Chun-ying and Donald Tsang, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung and the director of China’s liaison office in Hong Kong Zheng Yanxiong.
‘Protector’ of freedom
In Monday’s article, the Hong Kong leader said the unanimous passing of Article 23 legislation in March became part of the city’s “glorious history.” With a sophisticated security system in place, Hong Kong – whose door was once “wide open to both thieves and friends” – may now identify the “thieves” and protect its “friends,” Lee wrote citing an analogy from some members of the public.
“For an extremely small minority of those who jeopardise national security, this law is a sharp sword pointed at them; for the community at large and foreign investors, this law is a ‘protector’ of their rights, freedoms, property and investments,” an English version of Lee’s article read.
Lee went on to say that Hong Kong’s peaceful return to China “changed the so-called ‘standard formula’ of the past” in which military action was often involved in the regaining of lost territory.
The long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong demonstrated that Beijing was capable of developing a city where a capitalist system was practised, Lee wrote. He added the policy was a manifestation of the Chinese wisdom of “embracing different perspectives with an open mindset,” and a “great contribution to the political civilisation of mankind.”
In the conclusion, Lee said One Country, Two Systems was put into practice, and “tested on all fronts,” throughout 27 years. He pointed to the US and some Western countries, claiming they had “bullied and curbed” China’s development.
“[N]o matter how many difficulties and obstacles we have encountered, with the staunch support from our country and the concerted efforts of all citizens, Hong Kong has gone from strength to strength,” the article read.
Separate to the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of to up to 16 days, and suspects’ access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city’s opposition-free legislature.
The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and “regressive.” Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to “close loopholes” after the 2019 protests and unrest.
‘Better place for all’
On Monday morning, the chief executive also gave a speech at a reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre following the flag-raising ceremony. Before Lee’s speech, a video showcasing the work of his administration over the past two years was played. The clip highlighted the enactment of the Article 23 legislation, saying the city fulfilled its constitutional duty and national security was protected “without any worries or concerns.”
The video also mentioned that Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Central Government “valued and cared about Hong Kong a lot,” adding that “when Hong Kong has a need, the motherland will respond.”
Addressing the crowd, Lee said the government would focus on pursuing economic growth and improving livelihoods, as well as consolidating the city’s competitive edge. He added Hong Kong should also seize the opportunities presented by mainland China and around the world, and “board the ‘fast train” of our country’s development.”
“My goal is to make Hong Kong a better place for all – for everyone to enjoy a better living environment, for young people to realise their potential, for our elderly to be well taken care of. I am determined to create a caring, cohesive and flourishing community for all,” an English translation of his speech read.
Security chief hails passport cancellations
On Saturday, several local media outlets published interviews with Secretary for Security Chris Tang, who reviewed his work over the past two years since Lee’s administration was sworn in on the 2022 Handover anniversary.
In his interview with RTHK, Tang mentioned the cancellation of passports for six UK-based self-exiled activists – notably: Nathan Law, Christopher Mung, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. It marked the first time the government had invoked new powers under the recently enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
Tang said that – while some some of the affected activists claimed they had not used their Hong Kong passports for a number of years, or they had never held a Hong Kong passport – cancelling the travel documents allowed the “fugitives” to know they were “paying a hefty price.”
“You may have value to be exploited now – so they pity you and give you a travel document. But when you no longer have that value, then there is [no more travel document]. You will just be rolled around,” he said in Cantonese, in reference to the activists seeking alternative passports.
Meanwhile, finance chief Paul Chan told Commercial Radio on Sunday that it was time for Hong Kong to relax its defensive posture and work on the economy: “In the short term, we are holding many mega events and inviting people to visit Hong Kong. We hope to make our city more lively and prosperous. After the pandemic, fewer people are coming here, and Western countries may have misunderstandings about Hong Kong… But businesses, who have come in recent months, feel positive about Hong Kong,” he said, according to RTHK.
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