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Why Hong Kong is unique and will always be valued by China
I refer to Christine Loh’s inspiring article on how Hong Kong can prove its worth to Beijing amid the US-China trade war (“A new story for Hong Kong”, July 10).
I believe the new story for Hong Kong has been meticulously arranged by three pieces of legislation. Firstly, when the People’s Republic of China joined the United Nations in 1971, Hong Kong was deleted as a colony of Britain. The second piece of legislation was signed and registered in the UN in 1984 – the Sino-British Joint Declaration. And the last was the proclamation of the Basic Law in 1990.
Then came the return of the sovereignty of Hong Kong to the motherland in 1997 and, two decades later, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has no legal grounds for independence, as its future was decided in 1971, 1984 and 1990.
Article 1 of the Basic Law, adopted in 1990 by the National People’s Congress, unequivocally states that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the motherland. Therefore, Hong Kong poses no threat to the motherland and her usefulness to the mainland is a fact.
One country and two systems both need to be better understood
Watch: What is the Basic Law of Hong Kong
A new story for Hong Kong is actually another “challenge and response” opportunity for the Hong Kong SAR in the post-1997 era. l believe as Hong Kong is unique, the challenges ahead pose no threat to the city, as our legal foundation is firm and unshakeable.
Hong Kong upholds the rule of law. Its common law system is also unique when compared to any mainland city. As Ms Loh highlighted, under the Basic Law, Hong Kong has the power to conduct “external affairs”, a privilege no mainland city has. It has long been a global financial hub with a worldwide network of connections. Therefore, Hong Kong is irreplaceable, and its unique “one country, two systems” model is of benefit to the nation.
Lo Wai Kong, Yau Ma Tei
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