双语:确保“一国两制”在香港顺利实施的重要之举
发布时间:2021年05月26日
发布人:nanyuzi  

An Important Decision to Ensure the Smooth Implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong

确保“一国两制”在香港顺利实施的重要之举

 

Chinese Ambassador to Iceland Jin Zhijian

中国驻冰岛大使金智健

 

31 March 2021

2021年3月31日

 

On March 11, the fourth session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) in China approved a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), which has attracted worldwide attention and been covered by the Icelandic media. I would like to make a brief introduction on the issues of common concern.

3月11日,中国十三届全国人大四次会议审议通过了完善香港特别行政区选举制度的决定,引起国际社会广泛关注,冰岛媒体也就此进行了相关报道,我愿就大家共同关心的几个问题做一说明。

 

I. Why does the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR need to be improved now?

一、为什么现在要完善香港选举制度?

 

Since Hong Kong’s return, the central government of China has all along fully and faithfully implemented the policy of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy. We have run Hong Kong affairs according to law, upheld the constitutional order in the Hong Kong SAR as established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, supported the development of democracy in the Hong Kong SAR and guaranteed the exercise of democratic rights by residents of the Hong Kong SAR in accordance with the law. However, in recent years, especially after the turbulence over the amendment bill in 2019, anti-China, destabilizing forces and radical localists in Hong Kong have openly called for “Hong Kong independence”. They used the election platforms of the Hong Kong SAR to carry out anti-China and destabilizing activities, which have seriously jeopardized the constitutional order and the order of rule of law in the Hong Kong SAR, posed a grave challenge to the authority of the Constitution, the Basic Law and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, put China’s national sovereignty, security and development interests into serious jeopardy and severely disrupted social stability of the Hong Kong SAR. These situations reveal that the existing electoral system in the Hong Kong SAR has clear loopholes and deficiencies. Therefore, it is imperative to take necessary actions to improve the electoral system in order to remove the existing institutional deficiencies and risks to ensure the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body. This in turn will ensure effective and law-based administration in the Hong Kong SAR and keep the implementation of “one country, two systems” always on the right track. The Hong Kong SAR is part of China. In unitary states, it is a common constitutional provision and political practice for the central government to decide how local elections are held. It is a common practice for many countries including the United States to fill loopholes of electoral system timely. China’s action is legitimate, reasonable and necessary.

香港回归以来,中国中央政府始终坚持全面准确贯彻落实“一国两制”、“港人治港”、高度自治的方针,坚持依法治港,维护宪法和香港基本法确定的香港特别行政区宪制秩序,支持香港特别行政区民主发展,保障香港特别行政区居民依法行使民主权利。但近年来,特别是2019年香港发生“修例风波”后,反中乱港势力和本土激进分离势力公然鼓吹“港独”等主张,通过香港特别行政区选举平台肆无忌惮进行反中乱港活动,严重损害香港特别行政区的宪制秩序和法治秩序,严重挑战宪法、香港基本法和香港国安法权威,严重危害中国国家主权、安全、发展利益,严重破坏香港社会大局稳定。这些乱象表明,香港特别行政区现行的选举制度机制存在明显的漏洞和缺陷。为此,必须采取必要措施完善香港特别行政区选举制度,消除制度机制方面存在的隐患和风险,确保以爱国者为主体的“港人治港”,确保在香港特别行政区依法施政和有效治理,确保香港“一国两制”实践始终沿着正确方向前进。香港特别行政区是中国的一部分,由国家层面决定其地方选举制度是所有单一制国家共同的宪法制度和政治实践,及时弥补选举制度的漏洞也是包括美国在内的许多国家的共同举措,中方作法正当合理必要。

 

II. Does the NPC decision mean the end of the “one country, two systems”?

二、全国人大决定是否意味着一国两制的终结?

 

To improve the electoral system is not to deny or abandon “one country, two systems”. On the contrary, it is to return to its very foundation and ensure the steady practice of “one country, two systems”. No one understands the preciousness of “one country, two systems” better than the Chinese government, which sticks to the original aspiration of the policy more persistently than anyone else. “One country, two systems” should be understood and implemented comprehensively and objectively. It must be seen as one inseparable concept. “One country” is the basis and precondition for the viability of “two systems”. Without “one country”, “two systems” will no longer exist. If let anti-China rioters in Hong Kong to exploit institutional loopholes and have their way, they would challenge the “one country” and undermine the foundation of “two systems”. All China's actions are intended to improve the institutional framework of “one country, two systems” and maintain its effective execution and implementation. There is absolutely no such thing as changing the “one country, two systems” policy.

完善选举制度不是否定和放弃“一国两制”,而是要回归“一国两制”的初心,确保“一国两制”行稳致远。没有任何人比中国政府更懂得“一国两制”的珍贵,更执着的捍卫“一国两制”。我们应全面客观认识和实施“一国两制”,“一国两制”是一个完整概念,“一国”是“两制”的前提,没有“一国”就没有“两制”。如果任由反中乱港分子借选举制度的漏洞胡作非为,将会对“一国”构成挑战,“两制”也将失去根基。中国政府所采取的举措都是为了完善“一国两制”体系,都是为了把“一国两制”执行好、实施好,根本不存在改变“一国两制”的问题。

 

III. Will the improvement of Hong Kong’s electoral system restrict the democratic rights of Hong Kong residents?

三、完善香港选举制度会不会限制香港民众的民主权利?

 

Chinese government has always firmly supported the Hong Kong SAR in developing a democratic system suitable for its actual situation by stages. Democracy had simply been nonexistent in Hong Kong during UK’s 150-plus years of colonial rule, and has only been established since its return to China, which has offered Hong Kong people democratic rights they never enjoyed before. The NPC’s decision will lead to a new electoral system that suits Hong Kong’s realities and reflects the interests of society. It will ensure extensive and balanced political participation, and defend the rights of every permanent resident of Hong Kong to vote and stand for election. The purpose is to provide an institutional guarantee for the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. Since Hong Kong’s return, “patriots administering Hong Kong” has been an essential principle of “one country, two systems”. Loyalty to the motherland is a basic political ethic of all public office holders and aspirants anywhere in the world. It is also common international practice to demand that people in public office pledge loyalty to their motherland. It is only natural that Hong Kong shall be administered by people who love their motherland. The principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” does not mean that we will drive out diversity. “Patriots” cover a wide scope, and we have always been broad-minded towards those with different political opinions. There are also patriots among the opposition camp, especially the pan-democrats. They can still participate in elections and be elected in accordance with law. In the future, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong will enjoy broader representation of Hong Kong society. Different voices will still be heard at the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, including criticism of the government.

中国政府一贯坚定支持香港特别行政区循序渐进发展符合香港实际情况的民主制度。香港在英国殖民统治150多年间没有任何民主可言,回归后才真正开启了民主发展进程,香港居民开始享有前所未有的民主权利。此次完善香港选举制度,将会形成一套符合香港实际情况、体现社会整体利益的新的民主选举制度,也会依法保障香港同胞广泛的、均衡的政治参与,使其依法享有选举权和被选举权。此次举措的核心是从制度上确保“爱国者治港”。从香港回归开始,‘爱国者治港’便是‘一国两制’的核心原则。放眼世界,无论在哪个国家,效忠自己的祖国都是公职人员以及竞选公职的人必须遵守的基本政治伦理,对管制者的爱国立场和政治资格作出严格要求是世界通行做法。确保香港的管制权在爱国者手里天经地义。在“爱国者”界定上,我们决不是要搞“清一色”。爱国者的范围过去是、现在是、将来也是广泛的。只要爱国,即使持有不同政见,我们也能包容。反对派特别是“泛民主派”里面也有爱国者,他们将来仍然可以依法参选、依法当选。将来香港立法会的民意代表性会更加的广泛,在立法会里面仍然可以听到不同的声音,包括批评政府的声音。

 

Decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR has the staunch endorsement of all the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots. A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Research Association shows that around 70 percent of the respondents support the NPC decision. At the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, 70 countries delivered a joint statement to voice their support for China on issues related to Hong Kong. I hope everyone strictly observe the principle of non-interference, a basic norm governing international relations, respect and support China’s decision, and contribute to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. I believe that Hong Kong will embrace a brighter future and this “Pearl of the Orient” will shine with more brilliant luster in the near future.

完善香港选举制度的决定得到包括香港同胞在内的全体中国人民的坚决拥护。根据香港研究协会的民调,约7成受访者表示支持全国人大的决定。在联合国人权理事会第46届会议上,70个国家共同签署声明支持中方在香港问题上的立场。希望大家能够恪守不干涉他国内政的国际关系准则,尊重和支持中方决定,为香港的繁荣稳定做出贡献。相信在不久的将来,香港这一东方明珠定会更加璀璨,香港的明天更加美好。