White paper on Hong Kong underlines Beijing's firm stance on sovereignty
Sonny Lo says Beijing's white paper tries to recast the political reform debate as a matter of national security, by warning against 'incorrect' views of sovereignty
While some Hong Kong observers see Beijing's white paper on "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong as nothing new - but, rather, merely restating the central government's position - a careful reading of the document shows an attempt to recast the political reform debate here in the context of national security.
The document appeals to the people of Hong Kong to "correctly understand" the principle of "one country, two systems" so as to protect the central government's sovereignty, security and development. In other words, Beijing believes that some Hongkongers see the "two systems" as overriding the interests of "one country", thus threatening the security of the central government.
Beijing emphasises that Hongkongers abroad are well protected. Moreover, the white paper makes clear that any interference by "foreign forces" in Hong Kong's affairs, which fall under the internal administration of China, would undermine Beijing's security interests.
The paper reminds Hongkongers that the People's Liberation Army is safeguarding the interests of Hong Kong, while the chief executive is expected to carry out the directives of the central government.
It also reminds Hongkongers of how Beijing has helped the city in times of emergencies, like the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. By implication, the people should understand the positive role played by Beijing in Hong Kong's economic and social crises.
The paper stresses, too, that Beijing is ensuring the secure and stable supply of basic necessities, including food and water yet, still, some Hong Kong people have "incorrect" and "ambiguous" interpretations of "one country, two systems".
It puts much emphasis on the fact that the autonomy and powers enjoyed by Hong Kong are actually conferred on it by the central government. Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy is by no means absolute, it stresses; it is empowered by central government authority, and "residual power" does not exist in Hong Kong. Clearly, the white paper sees Beijing's power as predominant - a Chinese paternalistic view of the relationship between Beijing and Hong Kong.