▌China makes historic progress on "one country, two systems" in HK, Macao
“一国两制”在港澳取得历史性成就
▌The Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a press conference on September 20 under the theme of “China in the past decade,” focusing on the successful practice of the “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong and Macao.
▌The new ideas, thoughts and strategies proposed by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on matters related to the “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong and Macao, have brought to a new height the Party’s understanding of the laws governing the practice of the “one country, two systems,” and provided us with fundamental guidance for promoting the practice in a new era. They were the key reasons why the work related to Hong Kong and Macao made new progress and achieved greater results, said Huang Liuquan, deputy director of the State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, at the press conference.
▌The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core consolidated the centralized, unified leadership over the work in Hong Kong and Macao. It made the important decision to enhance the central government's exercise of overall jurisdiction over the special administrative regions and to improve the relevant systems and mechanisms related to enforcing the Constitution and the basic laws. The special administrative regions' legal systems and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security have been established. The law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong was enacted, while the region's electoral system was refined. Macao also started proceedings to amend its law on safeguarding national security. All these efforts have provided solid institutional support for lasting peace and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, and the stable and sustainable practice of the"one country, two systems" in the two regions.
▌The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a new attempt to make new ground in pursuing all-round opening-up in a new era, and also a further step for advancing the “one country, two systems”. Planned, deployed and advanced by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has made important progress. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and ports between the mainland and the two special administrative regions were put into operation. The construction of major cooperation platforms, such as Hengqin, Qianhai, and Nansha was accelerated. The compatibility of rules between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao was increased, while the flow of factors of production was made easier and faster.
▌Proactively integrating themselves into the country's overall development and carving out its role in national strategies, Hong Kong and Macao have been playing an important role in raising China's opening up to a higher level with wider coverage and scope. On the country's journey toward realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Hong Kong and Macao will make great contributions.