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Q: Some people say the principle of "one country, two systems" carried out in Hong Kong and Macao is undermines China. What are the ideas of this principle? Does it contradict the unitary state system of China? A: "One country, two systems" is an important principle that China put forward for regaining its sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao and realizing peaceful reunification of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. At the Second Session of the Sixth National People's Congress held in May 1984, this principle became a state policy with legal effect. The prerequisite of "one country, two systems" is to identify with "one country," that is, the People's Republic of China, and to identify with the fact that the principal part of the country is socialist. "Two systems" means that in the People's Republic of China, socialism is adopted on the mainland while capitalism is adopted in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. To secure the implementation of "one country, two systems," the NPC put forth the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region on April 4, 1990 and March 23, 1993, respectively, which clearly stipulate that after the Government of the People's Republic of China resumes the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and Macao, the previous social and economic systems in the two regions remain unchanged, laws remain almost unchanged, the lifestyle stays the same and the status of free ports and international trade and financial centers doesn't change. Hong Kong and Macao can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. Except for stationing troops, Beijing does not send any officials to the governments in Hong Kong and Macao and does not intervene in the internal affairs of the two regions. This policy will remain unchanged for 50 years in order to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao. All countries of the world follow either a federal system or a unitary system. China is a country with a unitary system. Establishing special administrative regions under such a system falls within the principle of "one country, two systems" and does not contradict the unitary system. There are two aspects of the relationship between the Central Government and the two special administrative regions. The first aspect is the relationship between the Central Government and the local governments of "one country" in the unitary system, and all power is granted by the Central Government. The second aspect is the relationship between the Central Government and local governments of "two systems," which means the NPC grants a high degree of autonomy to Hong Kong and Macao. The autonomy is much more extensive than the powers of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the mainland. If needed, the NPC or the State Council can also grant other powers to the two special administrative regions. This is also different from the federal system. Since the return of Hong Kong and Macao, the Central Government has consistently carried out the principle of "one country, two systems" and acts according to the Basic Laws. Compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao, as the masters of the regions, are enjoying unprecedented democratic rights. In particular, with support of the Central Government, Hong Kong overcame the Asian financial crisis and maintained its status as an international financial, trade and shipping center. The successful return of Hong Kong and Macao enriches the theory and practice of "one country, two systems" and proves that this principle is correct.
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