Policy Address

III. Uphold the Principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and Safeguard National Security

Fully and Faithfully Implement the Principle of "One Country, Two Systems"

17. As highlighted in the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" is the best institutional arrangement for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and we must adhere to it in the long run. The fundamental premise of "One Country, Two Systems" is to safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests of our nation. The more firmly the "One Country" principle is upheld, the greater the strength of "Two Systems".

18. Hong Kong has emerged from social disorder and the pandemic, and is now advancing from stability to prosperity. The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the National Security Law) has addressed the near-vacuum of national security laws for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). And the improved electoral system safeguards the HKSAR's governance system. Hong Kong is back on the path to progress.

19. Nevertheless, geopolitics today is complex. Some countries are undermining China and the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong for their own benefits. External forces continue to meddle in Hong Kong affairs. As Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said in his address on National Security Education Day in April this year: "while Hong Kong may appear to be peaceful and calm, there are indeed undercurrents – the root causes for 'chaos' have not yet been eliminated, and the foundation of 'orderly governance' needs to be fortified. We must stay vigilant against the possible resurgence of street violence, be conscious of covert rebellions through 'soft resistance', and watch out for those anti-government movements overseas looping back to Hong Kong. We should pay particular attention to those anti-China and destabilising activities camouflaged in the name of human rights, freedom, democracy and livelihood". We must guard against those seeking to provoke conflict, misinform or spread rumours through different channels, and remain alert to acts of "soft resistance" in different forms that can undermine the governance of our country and the HKSAR.

20. The HKSAR Government will fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. We will safeguard the constitutional order of the HKSAR as laid down by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China (the Constitution) and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (the Basic Law). We will implement the "executive-led" structure and "patriots administering Hong Kong".