FTU seeks regular review of policy’s implementation

The State Council should regularly review Hong Kong’s implementation of “one country, two systems” to prevent the principle being distorted, the largest workers’ union in the city said on Wednesday.

Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions delegates to the two sessions told the media in Beijing they suggested reviews because “one country, two systems” implementation had stronger requirements since upholding the principle had become part of the basic policy to carry out Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

It also suggested the review mechanism include implementation of the Basic Law, the special administrative region’s constitutional document.

For the new five-year term, the federation has two deputies serving in the country’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress, and two members in the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Stanley Ng Chau-pei, an NPC deputy who also chairs the FTU, said regular reviews would let both the central government and SAR government ensure the “one country, two systems” principle remains unchanged, is unwaveringly upheld, and never distorted in practice.

Regular reviews would boost the authority of the Basic Law, Ng added.

In the Government Work Report delivered on Monday, Premier Li Keqiang vowed the central government will continue implementing the “one country, two systems” principle “both to the letter and in spirit”.

Li also pledged the central government would extend its full support to boost exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao SARs.

Responding to the central government’s support for boosting mainland-Hong Kong cooperation, the FTU urged the SAR government to play a more proactive role in development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Federation Honorary President and NPC deputy Cheng Yiu-tong said the SAR government should consider appointing a deputy secretary for administration who would concentrate on handling and coordinating with other Greater Bay Area parties.

Management at a higher government level would make Hong Kong’s participation in the bay area more timely and efficient, Cheng said.

Regular reviews would boost the authority of the Basic Law.”

Stanley Ng Chau-pei, Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress and chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions