HK won’t be another mainland city: Wang

The central government does not intend to turn Hong Kong into another mainland city to avoid stripping the SAR of its uniqueness and values, a top legal official of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong SAR stressed on Sunday.

Speaking at a forum marking the 27 th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law held by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Wang Zhenmin, director of the Legal Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, reiterated that the central government is sincerely devoted to making “One Country, Two Systems” a success.

He urged Hong Kong people to make full use of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and develop the city with its own advantages and benefits offered by the concept.

Wang described the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” as the key to addressing Hong Kong’s social problems, citing the city’s economic development and the vast mainland market that might offer a way out for Hong Kong in tackling the economic challenges.

He urged local youths to learn the Basic Law, intensify their knowledge of the country and “One Country, Two Systems”, and be confident about the future.

It’s the third time in less than a week that Wang had commented on relations between Hong Kong and the central government at public forums as the city prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the handover on July 1.

Delivering a keynote speech at another event last Saturday, he warned that “Two Systems” would be scrapped if it’s severely distorted or even used against “One Country”, reiterating that “One Country” is the prerequisite of “Two Systems”.

Wang noted that the central government would be more confident in granting Hong Kong its high degree of autonomy if the city actively defends the country’s sovereignty, national security and development interests.

But, he dismissed talk that the central government is “interfering” in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, as the country is only exercising its sovereignty.

Last Friday, Wang urged Hong Kong people to get a full picture of the Basic Law, noting that the Basic Law could not stand alone, and it would never go beyond the country’s Constitution — the nation’s supreme law.

The Basic Law, which was promulgated on April 4, 1990, took effect on July 1, 1997. It stipulates that the National People’s Congress authorizes Hong Kong in exercising a high degree of autonomy and enjoying executive, legislative and independent judicial powers.