Safeguard the Rule of Law to Retain the Pearl’s Shine
捍卫法治基石、守护“东方之珠”
Ambassador Song Yumin’s Op-ed about Hong Kong on Guardian
宋昱旻大使就涉港问题在特多主流媒体发表署名文章
25 August 2019
2019年8月25日
Hong Kong, renowned worldwide as “the Pearl of the Orient”, is an important East-West converging hub and an international metropolis of openness, diversity and prosperity. On 1 July 1997, the Chinese government resumed exercising sovereignty over Hong Kong and implemented the basic national policy of “one country, two systems” in accordance with the law. With the Chinese central government vigorously supporting its economic development and social well-being, Hong Kong has maintained its own features and advantages of East-West fusion and unleashed even more vitality.
香港地处东西方交汇的重要枢纽，是一座开放多元、高度繁荣的国际大都市，“东方之珠”美称享誉世界。1997年7月1日，中国政府对香港恢复行使主权并依法实行“一国两制”。中央政府大力支持香港发展经济、改善民生，香港自身特色和优势得到保持，中西合璧的风采依然，活力之都魅力更胜往昔。
Over the past 22 years, the Pearl of the Orient has been shining even brighter! In 2018, Hong Kong’s GDP exceeded $340 billion and has more than doubled since 1996. Its economic development and the rule of law have ranked among the best in the world. Its status of international finance, shipping and trade centers has been further consolidated. Hong Kong has been rated as the world’s freest and most open economy with the most favorable business environment for many years in a row. The “Belt and Road” Initiative and “Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area” Plan underway is creating rare opportunities and long-lasting momentum for Hong Kong. All facts have fully proven that “one country, two systems” is the best institutional arrangement for maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, which has won the wholehearted support from Hong Kong compatriots as well as people in all other parts of China.
2018年，香港地区生产总值超过3400亿美元，较1996年增长一倍多。回归22 年来，香港经济发展和法治等各项指数在全世界名列前茅，国际金融、航运、贸易中心地位进一步巩固，连续多年被评为全球营商环境最好、最自由开放的经济体，东方之珠继续闪烁着璀璨光芒！今天，“一带一路”建设联通世界，粤港澳大湾区建设方兴未艾，为香港发展提供了难得机遇、不竭动力、广阔空间。实践充分证明，“一国两制”是香港保持长期繁荣稳定的最佳制度安排，得到了包括香港同胞在内的全体中国人民的衷心拥护和支持。
Early this June, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has tried to discuss the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. These amendments were aimed at improving judicial cooperation between Hong Kong and countries that have not signed the transfer of fugitive offenders and criminal-justice assistance agreements to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a haven for fugitives and criminals. While some individuals and organizations with a hidden agenda maliciously spread rumors such as “the suspects could not be treated fairly” to blindfold the public and create social panic. Several parade gatherings against the aforementioned amendments took place.
今年6月初，香港特区政府提出修订《逃犯条例》和《刑事事宜相互法律协助条例》，目的是解决香港无法与未签订移交逃犯和刑事司法协助协议的国家和地区开展司法合作的问题，避免香港成为“逃犯天堂”、“避罪港湾”。但一些别有用心的个人和组织恶意散布所谓“嫌疑犯无法得到公正待遇”等谣言，制造社会恐慌，误导和裹挟善良港人，进行反对修例的游行集会活动。
On June 15, HKSAR government decided to suspend the amendments and promised to call for more comments from all walks of life. However, certain violent extremists did not stop there, instead they continued to spread rumors and ignite violent activities. They defiled the national emblem, insulted the national flag and advocated so-called “Hong Kong independence”. Some radical protesters surrounded and stormed buildings of the Legislative Council, the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong and police stations. They blocked roads and halted traffic, occupied airport and harassed tourists and residents, and even brutally attacked the police. HKSAR police have raided homemade-explosives manufacturing lab in a factory building, seizing a large cache of explosives and other materials intended for use in the violent demonstrations. These activities have gone far beyond the scope of peaceful demonstrations.
6月15日，香港特区政府决定暂缓修例工作，承诺就此更加广泛地听取社会各界意见。但是，一些激进分子仍不收手，继续污蔑造谣、煽风点火并进行暴力破坏活动。他们污损国徽、侮辱国旗、鼓吹“港独”，冲击中央政府驻港联络办、香港立法会和香港警署，使用有毒有害物质袭击警察、游客和民众，非法储存大量危险品和破坏性武器，肆意破坏商业、瘫痪交通。这些暴力破坏行动已完全超出和平游行表达诉求的范畴。
All facts show that the essential problem in Hong Kong now is not about human rights, freedoms or democracy as some claim. It is, instead, about the attempt by certain violent extremists to coerce those who do not know the truth and ramp up violent crime on the pretext of opposing the amendments of the two ordinances related to fugitive transfer, seriously trampling upon law and order, threatening the security of the citizens, and damaging Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. It is about the intention of the opposition and violent extremists to overthrow the legitimate SAR government, challenge the central government’s authority, and undermine the constitutional basis of “one Country, two Systems” in Hong Kong through illegal means such as violence. If this lawless violence continues, Hong Kong’s economic base, including its rule of law, business environment, and social order, will be undermined as will the vital interests and fundamental well-being of the vast number of Hong Kong people.
种种迹象显示，当前香港事态的本质绝非所谓的人权、自由与民主问题，而是香港反对派和极端暴力分子企图以暴力等非法手段颠覆特区合法政府、挑战中央政府权威、动摇香港“一国两制”的宪制根基。这些极端暴力分子裹挟不明真相者，以反修例为幌子不断升级暴力犯罪活动，严重践踏法治和社会秩序、严重威胁香港市民安全、严重破坏香港繁荣稳定。如果上述暴力冲击行为再持续下去，法治基础、营商环境、社会秩序等香港经济立足的根基势必遭到破坏，伤害的是广大香港人的切身利益和根本福祉。
No civilized or lawful society would tolerate rampant violence. Certain countries and media that have always advertised “rule of law” adopt double standards of selective blindness and even express “sympathy and understanding” to these extremists. These countries and media blamed the Chinese government, whilst bolstering the actions of violent extremists causing the situation to deteriorate. Clearly, these external forces colluded with domestic violent extremists to destabilize Hong Kong and split China. Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China, and its affairs are completely China’s internal affairs. The Chinese government will never allow any foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs.
任何文明和法治社会都不会容忍违法暴力横行。然而，个别一向标榜“法治”的国家及其媒体采用选择性失明的双重标准，对这些暴力违法行为表示“同情、理解”，对香港警察十分克制的正当执法肆意歪曲，对中国政府横加指责，还为闹事分子撑腰打气，给事态恶化推波助澜。这些外部势力与激进暴力分子里应外合，企图扰乱香港、分裂中国的险恶用心昭然若揭。香港是中国的香港，香港事务是中国的内政。中国绝不容许任何外部势力干涉香港内部事务，任何想把香港搞乱的图谋都不会得逞。
The rule of law is the core value that Hong Kong people take pride in, a foundation for a favorable business environment, and an important cornerstone for prosperity and stability. We will not sit idle and watch outrageous behaviors by a small group of people. The Chinese central government will continue to unswervingly implement the “one country, two systems” policy, resolutely safeguard Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and oppose any activities that endanger the sovereignty of the country and challenges the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR.
法治是香港人引以为傲的核心价值，是香港良好营商环境的基础，是香港保持繁荣稳定的重要基石，绝不能任由一小部分人肆无忌惮地践踏。中国中央政府将继续坚定不移贯彻“一国两制”方针，坚决维护香港繁荣稳定，绝不允许任何危害国家主权安全、挑战中央权力和《香港特别行政区基本法》权威的活动发生。
The most prominent task of Hong Kong at present is to restore social stability as soon as possible, and safeguard Hong Kong’s good rule of law. The central government firmly supports Chief Executive of HKSAR Carrie Lam in leading the HKSAR government to rule according to the law, the Hong Kong police in enforcing laws rigorously, the HKSAR government and the judiciary in meting out punishment to violent criminals, and patriots and people who love Hong Kong in safeguarding rule of law in Hong Kong.
香港当前最重要的任务是坚决依法惩治暴力犯罪行为，尽快恢复社会安定，维护香港的良好法治。中国中央政府坚决支持香港特别行政区行政长官林郑月娥带领特区政府依法施政，坚决支持香港警方严正执法，坚决支持香港特区政府有关部门和司法机构依法惩治暴力犯罪分子，坚决支持爱国爱港人士捍卫香港法治的行动。
It should be noted that patriotism and love for Hong Kong are the mainstream public opinion in Hong Kong. Recently, the HKSAR Government has taken effective measures to stop the spread of violent incidents. More and more Hong Kong residents have recognized the real plots of the violent extremists. Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents spontaneously organized the “I love Hong Kong, say no to violence”, “defend the rule of law, defend a safe Hong Kong” parade, demonstrating determination to defend the rule of law and support “one country, two systems”.
当前，爱国爱港仍是香港主流民意。特区政府已采取有力措施制止暴力事件蔓延，越来越多的香港居民已认清祸港、乱港分子的真正图谋。数十万香港社会各界民众自发举行“我爱香港、拒绝暴力”、“护法治、保安宁”大游行，以实际行动彰显捍卫法治、拥护“一国两制”的决心。
We have full confidence that, with the strong support of the central government and all the people of the Chinese mainland, under the leadership of the HKSAR government led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, our compatriots in Hong Kong will do a good job in administering, building and developing Hong Kong by bravely coping with all kinds of difficulties and challenges. The Pearl of the Orient is bound to retain and renew its shine in the very near future.
我们相信，在中央政府和祖国内地的大力支持下，在特区政府的带领下，香港同胞一定能够把香港管理好、建设好、发展好，香港定能战胜前进道路上的各种困难和挑战，“东方之珠”定能绽放更加耀眼的光彩！