It entered a critical stage in 2015. The year also marks the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the 18th anniversary of the SAR. To further implement the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and ensure Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity, the SAR must correctly assess the experience of the past 18 years. It has to translate the central government’s Hong Kong policies into real action and make the most of all these opportunities.

It is fair to say that implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy since the 1997 handover has been successful. The State Council’s white paper on the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy in Hong Kong, published in June 2014, concludes that this policy is not only the best way to resolve problems left from the colonial era, but is also the best arrangement for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in the postcolonial era. This assessment is supported by plenty of facts.

Naturally, as any unprecedented exercise would, the “One Country, Two Systems” policy takes time and effort to develop and improve by trial and error. Hong Kong has gone through some challenging situations. It has run into many new problems in the past 18 years. We need to look at them objectively and deal with them calmly. Experiencing some problems along the way is to be expected. There is no reason to express doom and gloom every time something undesirable happens. On the other hand, it is vital to take any problem seriously and do our best to address it.

Any attempts to advocate “Hong Kong independence” by emphasizing “Two Systems” over “One Country” and spreading delusional ideas like “localism” and “city-state self-decision”, must be strongly resisted. In recent years, some media and individuals have expressed concern that the central government might change its policies toward Hong Kong. Such worries are unwarranted. The late paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping, assured then-British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in 1984 that “One Country, Two Systems” would remain unchanged for at least 50 years. This was not a casual comment, but a carefully considered idea. It acknowledged the country’s realities and its needs. It was a solemn pledge, not an empty promise. It was given because Hong Kong needs to maintain its prosperity and stability. This is closely linked to the mainland’s development strategy.

To further convince Hong Kong residents of the consistency of “One Country, Two systems”, the central government institutionalized the policy in a constitutional code -- the Basic Law. The past 18 years prove the central government has delivered its promise made before the handover, that Hong Kong’s social and economic system, way of life and legal foundation would remain unchanged. Thanks to the Basic Law and “One Country, Two Systems” policy, Hong Kong is not only still a capitalist society, but a highly successful one.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in November 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping, who is also the president, and several principal officials of the central government have reiterated that implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” will be steadfastly maintained. This means following the Basic Law in handling Hong Kong affairs, supporting the SAR in its efforts to advance its democratic development according to existing law and protecting the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests, which also includes Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. This is part of the national development strategy. It will not change in the foreseeable future.

Without question, Hong Kong will face all kinds of challenges in the years to come. But its overall development remains healthy, to say the least. This is because it enjoys the assurance of the Basic Law and the “One Country, Two Systems” policy. It also maintains its unique strengths as a free-market economy and has the strong support of the motherland. It also has many opportunities presented by the nation’s economic growth and growing contribution to the global economy.

Time waits for no one. Hong Kong needs to seize all these opportunities as well as to continue making full use of its strengths. Then it can effectively pursue its own social and economic development while also becoming part of the nation’s unstoppable rise.

By Wang Huangya

Wang Huangya is the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council. This is an abridged translation of his article originally published in the August issue of Bauhinia magazine. – Ed.

(China Daily/ Asia News Network)