'One country, two systems' showcases success

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY

Over the past few decades, the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee have made dozens of decisions, resolutions and legal interpretations to establish "one country, two systems", specifically enacting several important laws. It can be said that the journey of "one country, two systems", from a great concept to vibrant practice, and then to the improvement of various institutional mechanisms, has all been realized through the system of the people's congresses.

And the resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July is the most thorough blueprint for China's future development course, which spells out the strategic roles for the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions under the rubric of "pursuing high-level opening-up".

Hong Kong and Macao are expected to play important roles in optimizing the country's plan for regional development, in order to enhance coastal-interior interaction and free trade experiment, as in the island province of Hainan, harness the institutional strengths of "one country, two systems", and further consolidate Hong Kong's position as a global financial, maritime and trading center and a magnet for high-quality talent. They are also expected to help deepen cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and better promote the Belt and Road Initiative in such diverse areas as technology and innovation, green development, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and energy, taxation and disaster mitigation.

Hong Kong's traditional strengths in finance, shipping and trading face unprecedented challenges. The liquidity crunch and the re-shaping of the global supply chains, due mainly to rising Sinophobia in some parts of the world, increasing protectionism in the West, and the Russia-Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflicts have sapped Hong Kong's long-held advantage in these areas. So Hong Kong must take decisive measures to increase liquidity and boost the world's confidence in its stock market and strengthen its role as a critical linchpin between the Chinese mainland and international capital markets.

A thorough study on the future of Hong Kong's container port is long overdue. With rising competition from nearby container ports and likely decrease in port calls, it is imperative that the SAR government formulate a long-term plan for enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as a global maritime center, whether through consolidation with the ports in the GBA or re-positioning Hong Kong as a "shipless shipping center". Establishing a statutory maritime and ports authority, on the lines of the Airport Authority, to take charge of long-term planning would be a step in the right direction.

Thanks to its superb geographical location, Hong Kong has thrived on trade. Under the leadership of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong is doubling down on its efforts to strengthen trade relationships with partner economies other than the mainland, the European Union and North American countries.

The integration of the GBA cities has intensified over the past two years, helped by the completion of transport infrastructure which turned a "one-hour living circle" between Hong Kong and mainland GBA cities into a startling reality. On weekends and holidays, "tidal waves" of Hong Kong residents, both local and expatriate, flow into Shenzhen and other GBA cities for business or leisure.

Cooperation in eldercare and healthcare, such as the recent transfer of cord blood stem cells from the mainland to Hong Kong for the treatment of a child patient, demonstrates how closer social and medical collaboration between the mainland and Hong Kong can improve lives on both sides. The progress made in the exchange of medical data and collaboration in medical and life science research is an apt example of how Hong Kong's integration with the GBA cities on the mainland can be a win-win story.

Hong Kong has been an active participant in the Belt and Road Initiative since its launch in 2013. In line with the spirit of the initiative, Hong Kong's fire services set a good example of taking part in the rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of the earthquake in Turkiye in February 2023.

Other than helping build the "hard power" of Belt and Road countries through the digital economy, Hong Kong can also help bring hearts and minds together by initiating and hosting a "Belt and Road Games" along with other GBA cities. Sports are a powerful unifier and forceful tool for nation-building. With excellent transport infrastructure and abundant world-class sports facilities in the GBA, a "Belt and Road Games" can go a long way toward cementing ties and strengthening friendship among the Belt and Road economies.

The key to Hong Kong's success in attracting world-class talents, and supporting the continuous opening-up of the mainland's economy lies in strengthening Hong Kong's "two systems" characteristics, including its common law system, its protection of fundamental rights as provided in the Basic Law, and its international environment.

Many of China's most successful private enterprises have established strongholds overseas, but smaller ones that are "going overseas" can benefit from Hong Kong's experience of doing business with international partners. However, sallies into overseas markets risk collision with the values and norms of the Western world, or sleepwalking into legal and procedural quagmires.

The SAR is well positioned to tell the real story of China to the world, by issuing messages more acceptable to the West, renewing ties with old friends, building common ground wherever possible, and venturing into new areas to make new friends. Let Hong Kong's voice be heard by the world. The possibility of Hong Kong showcasing the success of "one country, two systems" despite the trying circumstances are infinite.

The author is convener of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a legislator.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.