Officials and experts pose for a photo during a symposium on upholding the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Hong Kong, Oct 31, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong will enjoy greater room for development if “one country, two systems” is resolutely upheld with a strengthened understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law, officials and experts said at a high-level symposium.
The annual symposium on the “one country, two systems” principle and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region attracted about 200 social dignitaries from business, political and academic sectors. The symposium, established in 2016, centered on upholding the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which concluded on Oct 22 in Beijing.
In a speech, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said the amendment to the Party Constitution adopted at the 20th CPC National Congress clearly stipulated that the “one country, two systems” principle will be implemented fully, faithfully, and resolutely.
The 20th CPC National Congress has offered an action guide for Hong Kong to better implement “one country, two systems”
Paul Lam, Secretary for Justice, HKSAR
The 20th CPC National Congress has offered an action guide for Hong Kong to better implement “one country, two systems”, Lam said.
To do that, Hong Kong residents must conscientiously respect and uphold “one country, two systems” in their daily work and life, so that the two special administrative regions can enjoy greater room for development.
The Department of Justice will continue to promote education on the rule of law in local communities and enhance people’s understanding to the Basic Law and the Constitution, Lam added.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said the symposium this year was held shortly after the conclusion of the 20th CPC National Congress, and the themes of the symposium this year – upholding the spirit of the CPC 20th National Congress, safeguarding the authority of Constitution and the Basic Law and the sustained practice of “one country, two systems” – concern many.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok delivers a speech at a symposium on upholding the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Hong Kong, Oct 31, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
The central goal of the “one country, two systems” principle is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to uphold the central government’s overall jurisdiction while securing the SAR’s high degree of autonomy.
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing delivers a speech at a symposium on upholding the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Hong Kong, Oct 31, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Cheuk said the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, led by the chief secretary for administration, will actively promote the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law for Hong Kong in an active manner.
Delivering a welcome speech at the event, Wu Baoan, a board member of the Bauhinia Culture Group, said the report at the 20th CPC National Congress comprehensively summarized the achievements of the implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, especially Hong Kong’s historic transition from chaos to order.
It also elaborated on the new thoughts and strategies for adhering to the principle in the long term, offering fundamental guidelines for work relating to Hong Kong and Macao, Wu added.
The 20th CPC National Congress also stressed that Hong Kong must be administered in accordance with the law, safeguarding the constitutional order of the special administrative region and providing a solid legal foundation for Hong Kong’s future development, Wu said.
The seminar was co-hosted by the Bauhinia Magazine, Tianda Institute and several academic organizations from the Chinese mainland.