SCIO briefing on the current situation in Hong Kong
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 4, 2019
Sing Tao Daily:
The decision to build Shenzhen into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics is based on what situation and deliberation of the central government? Is that implying a replacement of Hong Kong's unique roles? Thank you.
Yang Guang:
The guideline issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council to support building Shenzhen into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics marks a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It is a magnificent strategic move to deepen reform and expand opening up in all-round areas from a higher threshold with higher levels to reach higher goals. This guideline will benefit the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and help enrich the new practice of the principles of "one country, two systems."
We have noted that the guideline has evoked great concerns from Hong Kong and the international community, with someone worrying about the central government's inclination to replace Hong Kong with Shenzhen. This is definitely a misinterpretation. We think the guideline is de facto conducive to Hong Kong. Being put into scrutiny, the guideline features quite a number of items concerning Hong Kong's development in the long run and is conducive to maintain local stability and prosperity. This shows the consistent care and support from the central government to Hong Kong. Now please allow me to give you several examples. The guideline clearly stipulates that we should take the precious opportunity provided by the construction of the Greater Bay Area to enhance the function of core developmental engines. This not only refers to the higher requirements placed on Shenzhen, but also higher expectations placed on Hong Kong. The guideline also clearly stipulates that the country will continue to deepen the reform and opening up with institutional innovation-centered moves implemented in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone where the access of openness to Hong Kong and Macao should be expanded and in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone where construction is expected to accelerate. It will also explore the development in concerted efforts, innovate science and technology management mechanism and facilitate the high-speed and convenient flows of elements including personnel, capital, technologies and information. The section has accentuated the key points for the development of the Greater Bay Area where it navigates the routes heading to the promising future. There are also concrete measures formulated by the guideline to fortify the industrial cooperation of digital innovation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and create more access to medical technologies developed with Hong Kong or Macao investments. Meanwhile, it also points out that the access to Hong Kong and Macao will open even wider, in so far as allowing Hong Kong and Macao residents who work or live in Shenzhen to enjoy equal treatments in terms of livelihood, which unfetters them from troublesome procedures.
The central government supports Hong Kong and Macao to integrate into the country's strategic development from which they are enabled to give full play to their unique and irreplaceable advantages. This will definitely not be changed. However, it is up to Hong Kong to strive for the opportunities which could slip quickly in irrevocable ways. A Chinese verse written in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), says, "Water tides never stop to wash away the sands, and a new wave always rises when the old one has yet to be splashed." Hong Kong is unable to bear the social turmoil, and development is its only welfare. So far, a small number of rioters have sabotaged the prosperity and stability in Hong Kong simply in order to achieve their political agendas. I think the majority of people in Hong Kong will turn against the rioters' virulent schemes which endanger the fundamental and personal interests of the local residents and the future of the city. Given the approximately 7 million people in Hong Kong, is there anything more important than working for sound development? Thank you.
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