Hong Kong Chief Executive Discusses Constitutional Development

Constitutional development was the subject of a media session given by the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, in February. 

Mr Tung said that the Central People’s Government had raised a number of issues of principle since it first expressed serious concerns about the constitutional review relating to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He described these issues as follows:

• “One Country, Two Systems”: the Central People’s Government has pointed out that “One Country” is the premise on which “Two Systems” is implemented. “One Country” refers specifically to the People’s Republic of China.

• “Hong Kong people running Hong Kong”: patriots must form the main body that runs Hong Kong. There are specific criteria for a patriot. A patriot respects one’s own nation, sincerely supports “One Country, Two Systems” and does not do anything that would harm our country or Hong Kong.

• “A high degree of autonomy”: Hong Kong’s autonomy is exercised under authorization by the Central People’s Government.

• “Executive-led”: constitutional development in Hong Kong must not deviate from this principle.

• “Balanced participation”: our political structure must have due regard to the interests of all sectors of society. Also, constitutional development must accord with the principles of gradual and orderly progress and fully reflect the actual situation in Hong Kong.

Mr Tung said that “only if constitutional development in Hong Kong complies with these principles can we ensure the successful implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, safeguard the well-being of Hong Kong people and maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.”

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