Hong Kong receives reminder of its responsibilities on Constitution Day

That Hong Kong’s success is built on the safeguards of the Basic Law has long been agreed at home and abroad. But this would not have been the case without the legal backing of the country’s constitution. The intricate relationship between the two was again highlighted as the city reflected on its development on the 10th anniversary of Constitution Day. While more emphasis is now placed on sovereignty, national security and patriotism, it is also imperative for the city to make better use of its strengths under the unique governing model of “one country, two systems”, and contribute more to the nation’s modernisation. This new formula of success shall continue to guide the way forward.

During the early years of reunification, the stress was on continuity and stability. Public education also primarily focused on the Basic Law preserving Hong Kong’s own administrative, economic and legal systems. The fact that the Chinese constitution permitted the city to continue its way of life with a high degree of autonomy was not given the attention it deserved. A change came in 2014 when the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee designated December 4 as Constitution Day to better promote the spirit of the constitution and advance the law-based governance of the country.

Addressing a seminar on the constitution and China’s modernisation yesterday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the central government’s “comprehensive jurisdiction over Hong Kong” was the foundation of the city’s high degree of autonomy. To fully safeguard Beijing’s overall jurisdiction, the city would adhere to the “patriots-only” principle of governance and nurture a generation who loved both the country and the city, Lee added.

To Beijing and the city government, national security and patriotism are a work in progress. This is especially so since they still see political threats and resistance within society and abroad. Next on the agenda is a Hong Kong-initiated national security law under Article 23 of the Basic Law. The government is required to better explain proposals to the public, and strike a balance between national security and the freedoms protected by the Basic Law.

The constitutional duty does not stop with promoting and legislating on national security. As Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing’s liaison office, said taking the initiative to contribute to the country’s modernisation process was also part of Hong Kong’s responsibility. This includes accelerating innovation, green development, economic transformation as well as complementing the Greater Bay Area and belt and road strategies. There is a need to further strengthen awareness and efforts on this front.