'One Country' takes precedence

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, attended a seminar in Macao on Tuesday and shared his views on importance of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle for the successful governance of the special administrative region. In his keynote speech at the seminar Zhang recalled the original intent of the unprecedented constitutional design when Deng Xiaoping first introduced the "One Country, Two Systems" principle to the public in the 1980s. Deng emphasized back then that "One Country" was the precondition for the co-existence of two systems and must not be ignored. That means any discussion of two systems would be pointless if "One Country" is overlooked or even left out.

It should be noted that Zhang's words are inspirational to both Macao and Hong Kong although he was talking mainly to a local audience in the Macao SAR, and spoke highly of Macao's impressive achievements in implementing "One Country, Two Systems" since the handover more than 17 years ago. The central government exercises the country's sovereign rule over Hong Kong and Macao according to the Constitution and Basic Laws, which are national rather than local laws. The two SARs are under the direct jurisdiction of the central government and their high degree of autonomy is authorized by the central government according to the respective Basic Laws.

The "One Country, Two Systems" principle lets the two SARs pursue their own socio-economic and constitutional development within the constitutional confines of "One Country", which always comes first. Under the principle the two SARs can make their capitalist economy and unique way of life thrive alongside the mainland's socialist practices and in the same time further integrate with the mainland. As things are at this moment economic integration with the mainland offers Hong Kong and Macao a practically "free" ride on board the country's "development express", which is the largest single growth engine driving the global economy forward these days.

The central government hopes Hong Kong and Macao will each play an important role in the nation's development strategy, which will benefit their own development for sure. How they do it is up to them, but time waits for no one. Hong Kong in particular has much more to lose if it lets circumstances hold it back instead of stepping out of them and marching forward. The advantages of two systems are theirs to take on the precondition of "One Country".

(HK Edition 05/10/2017 page9)