In her article “The power of perspective: An insight to the ongoing fractured relationship between Beijing and Hong Kong”, published on Pearls and Irritations, Christine Loh Kung-wai stated that “Hong Kong exists in two parallel universes; one to escape from because there is no freedom and justice; and one of peace and opportunity.” Indeed, some people choose to leave Hong Kong because they thought the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong will take away their freedom, but more people choose to believe the cessation of riots will bring opportunities to the city. The observation of Loh reasonably demonstrates the stark contrast of these two groups. However, if we look beyond their actions, it is not difficult to find that some of those who left Hong Kong still care about the city, and those who stay put are not necessarily confident about the future of the city. A more accurate assessment would be, “It seems that Hong Kong exists in two parallel universes, but in general, there are two different, and to some extent, overlapping universes in Hong Kong.”
As the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) amended Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system, the two parallel universes seem to be further apart from each other, with some of those subscribed to Western ideology choosing to emigrate to the West. Nonetheless, Hong Kong remains a pluralistic society in general. With the full implementation of the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”, it will remain the cosmopolitan city it has been for decades and maintain its openness to the world.
The amended Annex I of the Basic Law stipulates that “members of the Election Committee must be permanent residents of the HKSAR”. In other words, there are no requirements on lawmakers’ nationality and right of abode. The amended Annex II of the Basic Law stipulates that the Legislative Council (LegCo) shall consist of 90 members, whereas Article 67 of the Basic Law specifies that “permanent residents of the Region who are not of Chinese nationality or who have the right of abode in foreign countries may also be elected members of the Legislative Council of the Region, provided that the proportion of such members does not exceed 20 percent of the total membership of the Council”. When the total number of LegCo members was 70, the maximum number of non-Chinese permanent Hong Kong residents with right of abode in foreign countries were 14. Now that the total seats in LegCo have increased to 90, the number of seats occupied by permanent residents of the Region who are not of Chinese nationality or who have the right of abode in foreign countries may rise to 18. Isn’t this valid proof that Hong Kong is still highly open to the world?
The total seats in LegCo have increased to 90, the number of seats occupied by permanent residents of the Region who are not of Chinese nationality or who have the right of abode in foreign countries may rise to 18. Isn’t this valid proof that Hong Kong is still highly open to the world
Any fair-minded individual will understand that Beijing, faced with mounting hostility and threats from Western countries like the US and Britain, has no choice but to enact the National Security Law for Hong Kong and amend the Annexes of the Basic Law to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system. Had it not been the attempt by Washington and London to help their proxies to seize control of Hong Kong through the anti-extradition law movement and the “black revolution”, the central government would not have felt compelled to take those two steps when it did.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused Beijing of violating the Sino-British Joint Declaration by amending Hong Kong’s electoral system, thereby undermining the freedom of Hong Kong people and forgoing its international obligations. Those are all irresponsible and baseless remarks.First of all, the historical mission of the Sino-British Joint Declaration was accomplished a long time ago. Secondly, the Joint Declaration does not mention the election of the LegCo at all; while the Chinese side only says “The chief executive will be appointed by the Central People’s Government on the basis of the results of elections or consultations to be held locally.”
Secondly, Hong Kong residents maintain different political stances. Some of them have been hoodwinked by Western propaganda into sympathizing and supporting anti-China and anti-communism forces. Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law are amended to prevent those cronies of hostile foreign governments from seizing the administrative power of Hong Kong. If that will curtail the political freedom of “Hongkongers” who sympathize with and support anti-China and anti-communism forces, so be it, because Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China, period. As the NPCSC passed the resolution to improve Hong Kong’s electoral system, patriotic groups and individuals will have greater political freedom than in the past in electing the Chief Executive and members of LegCo. Isn’t that an exercise of political freedom by the majority of people of Hong Kong?
Last but not the least, as China is a sovereign country, the central government is merely exercising its constitutional rights and obligation to revise Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law when necessary. It is absurd to assume one sovereign state can expect another to forgo its own sovereign rights in order to fulfill some “international obligations”. Would 10 Downing Street please tell the world if the British Empire ever fulfilled any “international obligation”in this manner?
It should be noted that Western countries like the US and Britain are now establishing an anti-China alliance as the world is undergoing an accelerated paradigm shift in the global power balance. China must do everything necessary to protect its sovereignty, national security and development interest. The HKSAR must faithfully enforce and abide by the National Security Law for Hong Kong and repel any attempt by external hostile forces to subvert China’s national political system through their proxies in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Beijing will continue to support Hong Kong in enhancing its status as an international financial center, shipping hub and free trade port. In addition, the central government will assist Hong Kong in becoming an international hotbed for innovation and technology startups and a regional intellectual property rights trading center, as well as a platform for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
The author is a senior research fellow of China Everbright Holdings.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.