A prosperous, stable HK conducive to betterment of int'l community -- Chinese ambassador

WASHINGTON -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai on Friday refuted allegations against China's "one country, two systems" principle in US magazine Newsweek, saying that a prosperous and stable Hong Kong is conducive to the betterment of the international community.

In an op-ed published by the US magazine, Cui said some commentators have gone so far as to question the efficacy and even legitimacy of the principle. Therefore, clarification on misperception about the policy "is still needed," he said.

The system practiced in Hong Kong, though different from that of the mainland, is something implemented for a certain administrative region of China in a certain historical stage, Cui wrote.

"It is still a Chinese system, not a duplicate of that of America or Europe," he stressed. "Imposing a different, foreign system on Hong Kong is not only a challenge to the principle of "one country", but also harmful to the practice of "two systems."

He said currently the biggest peril for the principle comes from ill-intentioned forces, both inside and outside Hong Kong, who seek to turn the special administrative region into a bridgehead to attack the Chinese mainland's system and spark chaos across China.

"For them, the well-being of Hong Kong's seven million people is a disposable pawn in their strategy," Cui said.

Citing facts and statistics that mark Hong Kong's development, the ambassador said Hong Kong benefited immensely from the principle since its return to China in 1997.

Hong Kong's GDP reached nearly $360 billion in 2018, over twice that of 1996. The number of visitors to Hong Kong soared from 10.4 million in 1997 to more than 65 million in 2018, Cui said.

Furthermore, Hong Kong ranks among the top in the world by various economic and social development indicators, he added.

Cui said deeds committed by the radicals, including vandalizing the legislative council, beating and maiming police officers, illegally storing assault weapons and storming the central government's liaison office, "laid bare the ill-will of these forces and the hypocrisy of some Western politicians."

He reaffirmed that Hong Kong affairs are solely the internal affairs of China. "China's determination to safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests, and to implement "one country, two systems" for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability is unwavering," he said.

"A chaotic Hong Kong will do no one any good," Cui noted. "A prosperous and stable Hong Kong not only serves China's interests, but is conducive to the betterment of the international community, including the United States."

"We are glad to see Hong Kong develop stronger business and people-to-people ties with the United States, and become a prime choice for more American businessmen, tourists and immigrants," Cui said.