全力维护香港繁荣稳定
Hong Kong Will Restore Stability and Prosperity
驻赞比亚大使李杰在赞主流媒体发表署名文章
Chinese Ambassador Li Jie Contributes an Article to Times of Zambia
2019年8月27日
27 August 2019
Since 1997 when Hong Kong was returned to the Motherland, as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, it has been known as a glittering “Pearl of the Orient” for its rule of law, freedom, openness and prosperity. The rule of law is the core value that the people of Hong Kong are proud of. It is the foundation of Hong Kong’s good business environment. It is also an important cornerstone for Hong Kong to maintain prosperity and stability. However, since June this year, a series of massive assemblies and violent incidents have seriously challenged the rule of law and stability in Hong Kong. The turmoil started when the HKSAR government proposed the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance to incorporate its cooperation with other parts of China into the ordinances regarding fugitive handover and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. It will help to plug the loopholes in the legal system, and enable Hong Kong to work better with other parts of China to jointly combat crimes and uphold rule of law and justice. Similar cooperation mechanisms have already been put in place between HKSAR and foreign countries. This arrangement will not affect Hong Kong’s judicial independence at all. Unfortunately, quite a number of Hong Kong citizens do not have much understanding of the mainland along with its legal system and judicial institution. Taking advantage of that, some people and media with malicious intentions started several massive assemblies against the amendments.
On 15th June, in order to solicit broader public support and to restore peace and order as early as possible, the HKSAR government decided to suspend its work on the amendment bill. The relevant legislative process also came to a full stop. However, those protesters who insist on messing up the situation continue to escalate violence and cause mayhem in Hong Kong. Some people tore off the disguise mask of “peaceful demonstrations” and even advocated “Hong Kong Independence” or “Recovering Hong Kong with Revolution”. They surrounded and attacked the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, insulted and defaced the national flag, national emblem and regional emblem of HKSAR. All these abominable actions are horrendous and no doubt will undermine national sovereignty and the “one country, two systems” principle.
In the past two months, escalating violence has seriously affected the rule of law, social order, economic livelihood and international image of Hong Kong. The subway was blocked, the airport was rampant, and ordinary people’s lives and tourists’ visits to Hong Kong were greatly affected. Behind the complicated situation is the intervention and manipulation of some external forces. There is evidence that some of the foreign forces have provided funds and technical support to a small group of radicals to help them plan and implement a series of violent incidents. Their ulterior motives are to disrupt Hong Kong, change Hong Kong into a troublesome sore for China and in turn constrain Chinese development. These attempts will get them nowhere.
Violence will not be tolerated in any society of rule-of-law. The most important task of the Hong Kong administration at present is to resolutely punish violent crimes in accordance with the law and restore social stability as soon as possible. The central government of the People’s Republic of China firmly supports the Hong Kong administration in punishing violent and illegal acts according to the law, and restoring normal social order. Hong Kong is part of China, and the Chinese government will unswervingly stick to and implement the policy of “one country, two systems” and absolutely does not allow any foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs. Peace and stability, like the air and sunshine, are hardly noticed when we have them, while none of us can live without them. Maintaining Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability is not only in the interests of China but also in the interests of all countries in the world. With the support of the central government of China and under the leadership of the HKSAR government, Hong Kong will surely soon overcome any obstacle and restore prosperity and stability.
