Senior state officials laud ‘one country, two systems’ policy for Hong Kong, voice confidence in city’s prosperity and ‘quality democracy’

Senior state officials have lauded the “one country, two systems” principle under which Hong Kong has been governed for the past 25 years, expressing confidence the city will become a more prosperous global business hub boasting “quality democracy” with the nation’s support.

Huang Liuquan, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also said those betting on the city’s demise had “never won”.

Huang, along with Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong, attended a high-powered forum on Thursday as part of the lead-up to the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1.

The duo hailed the efficiency of the Beijing-imposed national security law and “patriots-only” electoral shake-up in bringing the one country, two systems policy back on track, despite criticism that the opposition camp and any dissent had been effectively wiped out.

“Hong Kong has transformed from chaos to stability, and is at a critical juncture to move on from stability to greater prosperity,” Huang said via teleconferencing.

“The central government fully trusts Chief Executive-elect John Lee Ka-chiu. We believe that a new style of governance will be demonstrated under his leadership,” he added, referring to the city’s incoming leader, who will be sworn in on July 1.

Huang also said the original intentions of one country, two systems were to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as to maintain the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.

In the past 25 years, he said, the principle had proved to be successful, as Hong Kong’s economy, including its finance industry and stock exchange, continued to flourish.