No room for compromise with Hong Kong protesters, People’s Daily says
- Unrest in the city is a struggle between safeguarding ‘one country, two systems’ and destroying it, Communist Party mouthpiece says
- Any attempts to challenge national sovereignty, security and unity ‘doomed to fail’, it says
“What we are faced with today is a struggle between safeguarding ‘one country, two systems’ and destroying it,” the commentary said.
“On this issue that involves national sovereignty, and the future of Hong Kong, there is no middle ground and absolutely no room for compromise.”
The commentary said Beijing would not hesitate to crush any attempts to challenge national sovereignty, security and unity.
“Any attempts to challenge these ‘three bottom lines’, and interfere and sabotage ‘one country, two systems’ are just delusional, and futile and doomed to fail,” it said.
However, the commentary said Beijing remained committed to abiding by one country, two systems – the principle under which Hong Kong retained a degree of autonomy after its 1997 handover from Britain to China – in spite of the chaos and violence in Hong Kong.
“Facts have proven that one country, two systems is the best option in resolving the legacy problems of Hong Kong, and the best system that can enable Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability after its reunification with the country,” it said.
“[One country, two systems] is feasible, executable and welcome by the people.”
