China adopts “one country, two systems”

BEIJING. — The Chinese central government yesterday published a white paper detailing the “one country, two systems” practice in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, stressing the policy as a basic state policy despite new circumstances.
Put forward by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s, the “one country, two systems” policy was aimed to realise the peaceful reunification of the country.

According to Deng, it means there is only but one China and under this premise the mainland adheres to socialist system while Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan may retain their capitalist systems over a long time to come. The policy was first applied to solve the question of Hong Kong.

The implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems” in the HKSAR has achieved widely recognised success, said the white paper, published by the State Council Information Office under the title “The Practice of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”.

This fully proves that “one country, two systems” is not only the best solution to the Hong Kong question left over from history but also the best institutional arrangement for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong after its return to the motherland, it said.

Thanks to the policy, the HKSAR exercises a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the law, making Hong Kong continue to prosper, its society remain stable, and full development is being witnessed in all undertakings, the white paper said.

However, the central government has the power of oversight over the high degree of autonomy, it added.

The white paper said the policy enjoys growing popularity in Hong Kong, winning the wholehearted support from Hong Kong compatriots as well as people in all other parts of China. It is also thought highly by the international community.

The policy has ensured Hong Kong’s smooth return to the motherland on July 1, 1997, and at the same time, the HKSAR was established and the Basic Law came into effect.

Hong Kong entered a new epoch characterised by “one country, two systems,” “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, the white paper said.— Xinhua.