HONG KONG: The Central Government holds the power and responsibility to lead improvements in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s electoral system. The improvement is meant to ensure Hong Kong’s democratic system develops more smoothly in a healthy way.
The residents of Hong Kong have been long agonized by endless political disputes and social divides and have long wished that the Central Government would take action to resolve these issues. This is for the welfare of Hong Kong. And it is China’s internal affair.
However, some Western politicians jumped to make indiscriminate accusations, and some public opinion organizations followed them, accusing China of “suppressing Hong Kong’s democracy.” This turning things upside down reveals their ideological prejudice and ignorance of Hong Kong’s real situation. Who is the true defender of Hong Kong’s democracy? Who is disrupting Hong Kong’s political order, prosperity and stability? Slander cannot conceal the facts.
Historical facts
To comment on an issue, we must first understand it comprehensively.
Britain had ruled Hong Kong for more than 150 years. The 28 governors of Hong Kong during that period were not democratically elected, and those elections never sought out the opinions of the people of Hong Kong. Those governors were not responsible to them. The Chinese, who accounted for 98 percent of Hong Kong’s population, were not able to enjoy equal citizenship and political participation.
The return of Hong Kong to the motherland has started the process of democratic development in Hong Kong. Under “one country, two systems,” the people of Hong Kong are entitled to unprecedented democratic rights. If someone deliberately distorts historical facts, ignores the achievements of Hong Kong’s democratic development, and makes prejudiced comments, their actions become subjective speculation with ulterior motives.
Safeguarding legal rights
The improvement of Hong Kong’s electoral system will be conducive to good governance.
The Central Government is taking decisive action to develop a democratic election system that conforms to the conditions of Hong Kong and reflects the overall interests of society, to ensure that patriots govern Hong Kong and eject the disruptors. This will push Hong Kong’s democracy toward a healthy, orderly and higher-quality level.
An internal affair:
A scientific electoral system is conducive to the development of democracy and unity. A bad electoral system can cause social divides and split the country. Countries like Spain, Britain, Italy and Russia have all witnessed local elections harming national security. The U.S. has also experienced social turmoil after elections, and is busy revising its electoral system.
China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and we advise other countries not to make irresponsible remarks about the democratic development of our local administrative regions.
Developing a Democratic System:
The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of HKSAR on March 11.
– The Daily Mail-Beijing Review News exchange item
