One Country, Two Systems Omission Played Down

The former head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Wang Guangya, has dismissed suggestions that there may be changes in Beijing’s policy towards Hong Kong. His comment comes after the country's top advisory body left out the phrase “upholding the One Country, Two systems principle” in its future work plan.

In rare move, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, or CPPCC, didn't mention “One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong, and a high degree of autonomy” in its annual work plan published on Saturday. But Wang Guangya, former head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said state leaders have time and again said that policies towards Hong Kong will not change, and it’s unnecessary to repeat it every time.

He said state leaders have made it clear that Hong Kong plays an important role in national policies. He said there’s no need to worry, and One Country, Two Systems “will only become more and more successful”.

Wang, a deputy to the National People’s Congress, was speaking a day ahead of the opening of the legislature’s plenary session in Beijing.

He also said the advocacy of “self determination” is no different from calling for Hong Kong’s independence. When asked whether anyone who supports self-determination will indefinitely be barred from becoming a lawmaker in Hong Kong, Wang said everything has to be done in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, a top member of the Communist Party, Zhao Leji, has been quoted as telling Hong Kong members of the CPPCC that they need to correct views that are distorted, or unreasonable, when it comes to the "One Country, Two systems" principle. Though he did not give examples.

Zhao, the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection secretary, told the delegates that "One Country" is the root and anything that damages it is unacceptable. He was speaking at a meeting with local delegates on the sidelines of the annual CPPCC meeting.