Geoffrey Somers writes that young people in HK would be well-advised to study the Basic Law so they can better appreciate what it has done for the city

A most important thought has sprung up among those of us closely observing the latest developments among our rebellious youth, particularly the quite nonsensical independence campaign that comes on top of "Occupy Central" and other chaotic demonstrations.

Several of us are asking these most relevant questions: "Have these misguided youths ever actually taken the trouble to read the Basic Law? Do they fully understand - or are they even aware of - the extraordinary number of concessions Beijing made to the people of Hong Kong when the Basic Law was carefully drawn up during year after year of painstaking negotiations?"

Since the Chinese New Year riots in Mong Kok took such a violent turn, quickly followed by the independence drive, now is an apt time for us to review the history of the Basic Law and again pay tribute to the wisdom of Beijing in so generously making the 1997 transition such a smooth and painless one. It seems hard to believe that 19 years have already passed since China resumed the sovereignty over Hong Kong.

Let us pause now to pay credit to the Chinese leader generally acknowledged to have bestowed on Hong Kong the "soft landing" we experienced during its handover. This was due to the judiciousness, far-sightedness and pragmatism of Deng Xiaoping.

When British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher went to Beijing in September 1982 to present her case for China to resume sovereignty over Hong Kong but for Britain to retain its administration, Deng replied testily: "The Chinese government will take into full consideration the territory's special circumstances." The first ruling British prime minister to visit China, Thatcher was known as the "Iron Lady" who was "not for turning" - but she was bluntly told that the return of Hong Kong to China was absolutely non-negotiable. After an occupation of 156 years it would be the last to be returned of all the odd corners of China held by a foreign power under an unequal treaty.

Deng's vision for Hong Kong was that it should continue to prosper under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, with China maintaining its "hands-off" philosophy. It was Deng who also had the foresight and drive to orchestrate the opening-up of China and the creation of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. In a couple of hectic decades this one-time rural border town has burgeoned into a pulsing megacity of 11 million.

This recounting of events should prove particularly useful to parents of disaffected sons and daughters whose behavior indicates that they have been misinformed and misled. Hopefully parents will arrange heart-to-heart discussions with their offspring to give them a complete and thorough understanding of the genteel treatment Beijing accorded Hong Kong and its 7 million-odd inhabitants.

Readers should note the actual years associated with the Basic Law's preparation because they are highly relative to the ages of today's young dissenters, many of whom were not even born during those times. The Basic Law was drafted after the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong was signed by both sides on Dec 19, 1984, embracing the concept of "One Country, Two Systems". The Basic Law gives Hong Kong the right to continue its capitalist system and way of life for 50 years from July 1, 1997. The only exceptions are that the central government in Beijing controls the military and diplomatic affairs of the Hong Kong SAR.

The first draft of the Basic Law was produced in April 1988, by a committee of mainland and Hong Kong members under the chairmanship of the Ji Pengfei, who was then in charge of Hong Kong affairs. Then followed a five-month public consultation period. The second draft was published in February, 1989, followed by eight months of public consultation.

On April 4, 1990, the Basic Law was promulgated by the National People's Congress together with designs for the SAR's flag and emblem.

The Basic Law's general principles include that the SAR is part of the People's Republic of China. Concerning fundamental rights and duties, it stipulates that the freedom of Hong Kong citizens shall be protected, and that they enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of press and publication, of association, assembly, procession, demonstration, of movement, of conscience, of religious belief, of marriage, and to form and join trade unions, and to strike. I have yet to see one instance where such a solemn assurance has not been kept.

(HK Edition 04/22/2016 page9)