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Chief Executive CY Leung
Democratic development and economic progress in Hong Kong present a host of opportunities, but there are choices we have to make. On constitutional development, we have to choose between implementing universal suffrage and a standstill; on the economy, between progress and stagnation; and on people’s livelihood, between reforms and clinging to the status quo.
Hong Kong is a society that upholds the rule of law. Provided we act in accordance with the law, capitalise on our opportunities and make choices with courage, we will be able to pursue democracy, boost the economy and improve people’s livelihood.
On economic development, Hong Kong is blessed with the unique advantages of both ‘one country’ and ‘two systems’. As part of China, we benefit from the rapid development of and enjoy preferential treatments from our country; at the same time, we benefit from having a system that is different from other Mainland cities.
By capitalising on these advantages, not only can we expedite our growth, but we also continue to expand our existing lead industries and foster new industries to meet the development needs of the Mainland and abroad.
Through the diversification of our industries, we can create a more prosperous economy that provides our young people with the opportunity to put what they have learned to good use and allow all to realise their potential.
Basic Law adherence crucial
On constitutional development, by adhering strictly to the Basic Law and the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on issues relating to the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by universal suffrage and on the method for forming the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Year 2016, for the first time in Hong Kong’s history, 5 million eligible voters will be able to select the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2017. This is a big step forward for Hong Kong’s democratic development.
With all these opportunities before us, we should, however, stay alert.
Taking the continuous economic development and full employment in recent years for granted, some people have underestimated the importance of economic growth. This calls for vigilance. People’s livelihood depends on the economy, and fostering economic development is vital to improving people’s livelihood.
Maintaining competitiveness
Sustained economic development will provide our young people with more and better employment opportunities and chances of upward mobility, increase people’s income, and enhance the Government’s financial capacity in addressing problems relating to housing, poverty, ageing population and environmental protection.
We must maintain Hong Kong’s competitiveness in both the international and Mainland markets, and forestall any act that harms the investment and business environment.
On constitutional development, we have to be wary of suggestions that deviate from the Basic Law.
Discussions on constitutional development over the past year or so have revealed that many fail to properly understand the relationship between the Central Authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the constitutional requirements relating to constitutional development.
I should stress that under ‘One country, two systems’, Hong Kong is a special administrative region of our country. The Basic Law specifically provides for the relationship between the Central Authorities and the HKSAR. Hong Kong’s power originates from the Central Authorities, and the delegation of power from the Central Authorities to Hong Kong is provided in the Basic Law.
Autonomy not absolute
Hong Kong’s autonomy under ‘One country, two systems’ is a high degree of autonomy, not an absolute autonomy. It is a high degree of autonomy specifically provided for in the Basic Law, not one based on any arbitrary interpretation. The formulation and development of our political structure must be based on the Basic Law and the relevant interpretation and decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Under the Basic Law, the Chief Executive is accountable to not only the HKSAR, but also the Central Government. The Chief Executive, whether returned by an Election Committee or by universal suffrage, and the Principal Officials nominated by the Chief Executive, are all subject to appointment by the Central Government. The selection of the Chief Executive comprises both the elements of election and appointment.
The system just described embodies the principles of ‘One country, two systems’, ‘Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong’ and a high degree of autonomy. This is a unique and unprecedented system. There is neither overseas precedent nor “international standard” of the kind.
For Hong Kong to select its Chief Executive by universal suffrage, the Basic Law and the relevant interpretation and decisions of the NPCSC must be complied with.
Students’ aspirations recognised
We fully recognise the aspirations of our young students for democracy and their concerns about political reforms. University students are the future pillars of society and deserve our care. Hence, there is all the more reason for us to commend them for their merits and correct their mistakes. They should be guided towards a full understanding of the constitutional relationship between our country and Hong Kong so that the discussion on constitutional development would not be fruitless.
The February 2014 issue of Undergrad, the official magazine of the Hong Kong University Students’ Union, featured a cover story entitled “Hong Kong people deciding their own fate”.
In 2013, a book named Hong Kong Nationalism was published by Undergrad. It advocates that Hong Kong should find a way to self-reliance and self-determination. Undergrad and other students, including student leaders of the Occupy movement, have misstated some facts. We must stay alert. We also ask political figures with close ties to the leaders of the student movement to advise them against putting forward such fallacies.
The rule of law is the foundation of Hong Kong. The democratic development of Hong Kong must therefore be underpinned by the same. As we pursue democracy, we should act in accordance with the law, or Hong Kong will degenerate into anarchy.
Manifesto pledges fulfilled
Since taking office, the current-term Government has progressively fulfilled the pledges in my manifesto on housing, poverty, elderly care and environmental protection. The related initiatives have begun to deliver results.
By promoting economic development and taking forward the constitutional development in accordance with the law, we will have a greater capacity for implementing policies to improve people’s livelihood.
