Xi Jinping Emphasizes One Country, Two Systems for 34 Minutes (Comprehensive)

President Xi's Remarks: "China is a Socialist Country, Hong Kong Compatriots Must Uphold China's Basic System"
President Xi Attends 25th Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover, Promises Full Economic Support for Hong Kong

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] At 8 a.m. on July 1 (Hong Kong time) at the Hong Kong Island Convention Center, the Chinese national flag, the Five-star Red Flag, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flag, the Golden Bauhinia Flag, were raised together while the Chinese national militia march was played. The announcer from the state-run Chinese CCTV emphasized that the flag-raising ceremony was conducted in the Chinese style, not the British style.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The 25th anniversary event of Hong Kong's handover and the inauguration ceremony of the Hong Kong Chief Executive were held with the attendance of President Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. The event began when President Xi arrived at the venue at 10:15 a.m. He did not attend the flag-raising ceremony.

◆ China as a socialist country, emphasizing the One Country, Two Systems principle = President Xi seemed to be conscious of Western criticism, including from the U.S., that Hong Kong's One Country, Two Systems is not being upheld, and emphasized the principle in his commemorative speech.

He evaluated, "Over the past 25 years, through joint efforts, One Country, Two Systems has been successful." He added, "One Country, Two Systems is a complete system, and the principle of One Country, Two Systems is being fully and accurately implemented."

President Xi appeared to refer to the large-scale protests that occurred during the legislative processes of major laws such as the National Security Law, the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, and the Election Law, stating, "Since Hong Kong returned to the motherland, it has withstood various storms," and pointed out, "Although there were some social instabilities, they did not hinder Hong Kong's development."

He further emphasized, "Socialism is China's fundamental system," and "All compatriots in Hong Kong must respect and safeguard China's fundamental system." This is interpreted as signaling that Hong Kong will continue to be governed according to mainland Chinese law.

Instead, President Xi promised economic support, saying, "The Chinese mainland will fully support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area." He began his speech around 10:48 a.m. and concluded it around 11:22 a.m.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ A calculated two-day no-sleep political schedule = Around 3:10 p.m. on June 30, the special train carrying President Xi arrived at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. In the 20th anniversary event in 2017, President Xi used a dedicated plane.

The Chinese government announced the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development plan in 2017. The plan aims to connect the Chinese mainland with Hong Kong and Macao and develop it as a new economic special zone. The high-speed rail section connecting Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong (Guangshen Railway) symbolizes the Greater Bay Area development.

After arriving in Hong Kong, President Xi met sequentially with Carrie Lam, the outgoing 5th Chief Executive of Hong Kong; Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the 3rd Chief Executive of Hong Kong; Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region; and heads of Hong Kong's judicial and supervisory institutions. He then visited the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, where he reportedly had a conversation with Hong Kong scientific researchers and young entrepreneurs.

President Xi is believed to have then taken the high-speed rail again to Shenzhen. The distance from Hong Kong to Shenzhen by high-speed rail is 26 km, and the travel time is known to be less than 14 minutes. Although shorter than the 2-night, 3-day schedule in 2017, this political itinerary conveys a domestic and international message that the Chinese leadership shows high interest in Hong Kong's future.