HK media reflect on Deng's theory
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-02-20 23:51

Hong Kong media republished Friday Deng Xiaoping's "one country, two systems" remarks.

Xinhua released the speech by China's late leader on Thursday and called on people to grasp the essence of Deng's words as constitutional development in Hong Kong moves forward.

The newspaper Wen Wei Po commented that the two most important contents of Deng's remarks concern the "one country, two systems" and the administration of Hong Kong by the people of Hong Kong. Deng said in 1984, when he met with a Hong Kong industrial and commercial delegation and with Sze-yuen Chung and other prominent Hong Kong figures, that it is imperative that "patriots form the main body of administrators," and that "a patriot is one who respects the Chinese nation, sincerely supports the motherland's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and wishes not to impair Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."

The paper said we must grasp clearly the principle of "one country, two systems" to conduct Hong Kong constitutional development.

The Takungpao Daily said that Deng's remarks in 1984 were well received by the Hong Kong public and reflected the central government's confidence on Hong Kong's future.

Now 20 years later, the central government's policy on Hong Kong has not changed.

It has stuck to the same principles on Hong Kong and nobody has been allowed to disturb the policy.

Any plans to undermine the "one country, two systems" policy will not work, said the newspaper.