Xi draws ‘red line’ over Hong Kong
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Xi Jinping has drawn a “red line” for handling relations between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, warning against attempts to undermine national sovereignty or challenge the central government’s power.
“Any attempt to endanger national sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red line, and is absolutely impermissible,” he said.
Xi was speaking on Saturday at a gathering celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the fifth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Xi expressed confidence in its new chief executive leading the Asian financial hub to achieve new development.
In their meeting shortly after Carrie Lam was sworn in, Xi said he believed she can lead the new government and all sectors of Hong Kong society to score new achievements in various undertakings.
Xi said “great responsibilities and a glorious mission” had fallen on Lam’s shoulders. “Hong Kong people are placing great hopes in you, and the central government also has high expectations for you,” he told her.
He urged the new chief executive to earnestly carry out her duties as chief executive, implement the “one country, two systems” principle in a comprehensive and accurate manner, and safeguard the authority of the country’s Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law.
Efforts should also be made to further develop Hong Kong’s economy, improve the well-being of its people, and maintain the region’s prosperity and stability, Xi said.
“The central government will give full support to you and the new HKSAR government to administer Hong Kong according to law and break new ground in the great cause of ‘one country, two systems,’” Xi said.
Hong Kong people enjoy more extensive democratic rights and freedom than at any other time in its history, he said.
“The people of Hong Kong, now masters of their own house, run their local affairs within the purview of autonomy of the HKSAR,” he said.
The president stressed the importance of having a correct understanding of the relationship between “one country” and “two systems.”
The concept of “one country, two systems” was advanced, first and foremost, to realize and uphold national unity, Xi said.
“In conducting day-to-day affairs, we must be guided by a strong sense of ‘one country,’ firmly observe the principle of ‘one country,’ and thus correctly handle the relationship between the HKSAR and the central government,” he said.
On the other hand, Xi added, the “two systems” should and have every reason to stay in harmony and reinforce each other on the basis of “one country.”
“We must both adhere to the ‘one country’ principle and respect the differences of the ‘two systems,’” he said.
The central government will unswervingly implement the policy of “one country, two systems” and make sure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted, he said.
Hong Kong cannot afford to be torn apart by reckless moves or internal rift amid the intense global competition, Xi warned.
Hong Kong is a plural society with “different views and even major differences on some specific issues,” he acknowledged.
However, “making everything political or deliberately creating differences and provoking confrontation will not resolve the problems,” Xi said.
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