Hong Kong must deepen understanding of ‘one country, two systems’: delegate

Hong Kong society lacks a proper understanding of the “one country, two systems” governing principle, only considering it a solution for “historical issues” or as unrelated to national development, a local delegate of the country’s top advisory body has said.

Tu Haiming, vice-chairman of the liaison committee for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas Chinese, part of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also stressed the need for enhanced public education and greater national awareness.

He issued the call at the CPPCC’s third plenary meeting, which took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday. Tu was the only one of the gathering’s 14 speakers who represented Hong Kong.

The meeting is part of Beijing’s most important annual political gathering, known as the “two sessions”. The CPPCC’s portion of the event is set to wrap up on Monday.

On Saturday, Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, encouraged the city to capitalise on opportunities arising from one country, two systems by fully grasping the similarities and differences between it and the mainland.

In Tu’s speech on “strengthening cultural confidence and national identity”, the delegate said there was still “a gap” in Hong Kong society’s understanding of the governing principle.