Overall jurisdiction ‘goes along with SARs’ autonomy’
The central government’s “overall jurisdiction” over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the city’s high degree of autonomy do not contradict each other, the central government’s top Hong Kong affairs official said on Thursday.
Director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Zhang Xiaoming made the remark after the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping stressed the term in delivering the Central Committee’s report at the opening session of the 19th CPC National Congress.
Zhang said the high degree of autonomy was commissioned to the SARs by the central government. The autonomy was derived from the central government’s sovereignty and overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong and Macao. It is vital to work in accordance with the national Constitution and the SARs’ Basic Laws, and integrate the two concepts instead of putting them in opposing positions, he said.
Zhang said the Hong Kong and Macao section of the report outlined the future direction of the “one country, two systems” principle and the two SARs’ development. Xi’s exposition was thoughtful and specific, and offered guidance, he added.
The report stressed that the “one country, two systems” principle must be fully and faithfully implemented; the systems and mechanisms to enforce the Basic Law should be improved; and the central government will support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating their own development into the overall development of the country, Zhang said.
Zhang reminded the people of Hong Kong to fulfill the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
He also highlighted Xi’s calls to foster greater patriotism and a stronger sense of national identity among the people of Hong Kong and Macao.
Zhang’s analysis was echoed by other people in Hong Kong. Veteran political commentator James Sung Lap-kung said the central government’s “overall jurisdiction” over the SAR is a constitutional power and is essential to safeguard national interests.
The program coordinator in the School of Continuing and Professional Education of the City University of Hong Kong said keeping Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability is a matter of national sovereignty, security and developmental interests.
Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, believed keeping patriots playing the principal role in the policy for Hong Kong people to govern Hong Kong had always been the bottom line of the “one country, two systems” principle.
“Xi’s call for Hong Kong people to share the responsibility of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the glory of the nation’s prosperity could help enhance our national identity and tighten our bond with the motherland,” he said.