2023年6月5日,國務院港澳辦黨組理論學習中心組在《光明日報》發表長文,論述習近平總書記倡導的一國兩制的實踐。仔細閱讀港澳辦的文章,可了解中央如何影響港澳近期和以後的發展。
這篇長文包含了值得我們關注和分析的十大要點:
釐清一國與兩制關係
一是港澳必須準確、堅決貫徹一國兩制原則,其基本宗旨是維護國家主權、安全、發展利益和港澳經濟繁榮。 最重要的是,要理解「一國」與「兩制」的關係,理解「兩制」從屬和派生於「一國」。沒有「一國」的社會主義制度和中國共產黨的領導,「兩制」的根基就保不住。
二是要堅決落實中央「全面管治權」與特別行政區「高度自治權」相統一。同理,中央的「全面管治權」和特別行政區的「高度自治權」,兩者是「源」和「流」的關係;凡是事關特別行政區發展穩定的重大問題,中央都要切實發揮主導作用。
三是必須堅定落實「愛國者治港」、「愛國者治澳」的原則。這一原則的落實,事關國家主權、安全、發展利益,也是事關兩地長期繁榮穩定的根本原則。身處重要崗位、掌握重要權力、肩負重要管治責任的人,必須是堅定的「愛國者」;他們是守護港澳市民福祉之所寄。
四是必須堅持依法治港治澳,依法治理是最可靠、最穩定的治理方式。要堅決維護特別行政區法治,強化憲法和《基本法》的權威,完善相關制度和機制。要加強法治教育,包括憲法和《基本法》,只有堅持依法治港治澳,一國兩制之路才能走對走穩。
發揮各自優勢 才能共贏
五是必須發揮香港、澳門的優勢和特點。背靠祖國、聯通世界是港澳得天獨厚的顯著優勢。港澳自由開放雄冠全球、營商環境世界一流、法治水準廣受讚譽、國際資本人才匯聚、中西文化薈萃交融。香港繼續保持普通法制度、澳門繼續保持原有法律制度,都是港澳取得成功的重要因素。發揮好港澳的優勢和特點,對於共建「一帶一路」、促進合作共贏,都具有十分重要的意義。
六是必須支持港澳發展經濟、改善民生、破解經濟社會發展中的深層次矛盾和問題。習近平總書記指出,「發展是永恒的主題,是香港的立身之本,也是解決香港各種問題的金鑰匙」。港澳長期積累的深層次矛盾和問題,都需要靠發展來解決。
七是必須構建更廣泛的國內外支持一國兩制的統一戰線。習近平總書記指出,「發展壯大愛國愛港愛澳力量,增強港澳同胞的愛國精神,形成更廣泛的國內外支持『一國兩制』的統一戰線」。這意味着凝聚港澳同胞的愛國精神,對推進一國兩制事業至關重要。
八是要全面貫徹落實中共二十大精神,特別是港澳維護國家安全的形勢依然「複雜」和「嚴峻」。要堅決打擊一切「反中亂港亂澳」活動,堅決防範和遏制外部勢力干預港澳事務。因此,要進一步健全維護國家安全的制度體系和執行機制,不斷提高港澳維護國家安全的能力和水平。
九是着力構建港澳良政善治。支持行政長官和特別行政區政府廣泛吸納「愛國愛港愛澳」立場堅定、管治能力突出、熱心服務公眾的優秀人才進入政府。中央政府支持特別行政區政府改進政府作風、優化基層治理、提升管治水平。
十是要把港澳一國兩制納入發展藍圖,與內地相輔相成。香港以航空、航運業和貿易中心提升國際金融和貨幣中心地位,澳門則為中國和葡語國家打造貿易中心和平台。香港和澳門都將發展新產業,吸引新人才,推動大灣區發展。在這種情況下,港澳居民的福祉和安全感必將得到提升的。最後,青年人能夠也一定會為一國兩制而努力,讓香港和澳門在下一個200年的中華民族偉大復興中能夠也一定會做出貢獻。
從分析上說,國務院港澳辦上述十點,概括了北京對港澳政策的要旨。
北京意圖鞏固統一戰線
2014年《一國兩制在香港特別行政區的實踐》白皮書首次提到強調中央政府的國家主權、安全和發展利益──該白皮書是回應當時一些香港政客而發表的,當時他們發起了所謂佔中運動企圖推動政治變革。事實上,「兩制」源於「一國」──早在2014年年中以前,許多中國內地法律專家和權威人士就對香港如此強調。也是2014年的白皮書首次提到北京對香港的「全面管治」,但很多人直到2020年6月《香港國安法》頒布、香港維護國家安全機構成立時才明白其具體含義。
「愛國者」治港治澳的問題,出現在2019年後香港的社會動盪中,許多政客和政治活躍人士挑戰中央權威。從2019年底開始,香港的政治機構,特別是立法會和區議會的許多議員被取消資格,以及2021年7月澳門立法會選舉的一些候選人被取消資格,可以被視為邁向培養和壯大「愛國者」治港治澳的道路,尤其是在政治體制被「反中亂港」分子滲透的香港。 從政治機構中清除這些「麻煩製造者」需要通過頒布《香港國安法》來實施法治。
然而,單靠依法治港治澳,並不能贏得全體港澳居民的心。為此,中央提醒港澳兩地政府有必要通過一系列教育、社會、住房和福利政策來應對深層次的社會矛盾。同時,還要鞏固統一戰線工作,包括聚焦青年工作,加強對港澳地區及海外人士實踐一國兩制的宣傳工作。
全球人才計劃 港澳明確分工
為使香港和澳門成為促進民族復興和實踐「一帶一路」倡議的特別場所,最近實施了全球人才計劃。這個想法是為了吸引全球和大陸的人才來到香港和澳門,預計這兩個地方會有明確的分工。在香港專注於鞏固國際金融、貨幣和貿易中心的同時,澳門也確定成為中國與葡語國家建立更緊密關係的平台。香港和澳門都需要加快與內地的社會經濟融合,特別是大灣區。深圳前海正在與香港緊密合作,橫琴─澳門合作區有望幫助澳門實現經濟多元化。以減輕來澳門對賭場資本主義的過度依賴。
結論是,國務院港澳辦黨組最近在《光明日報》發表的長文,從港澳角度總結一國兩制的實踐,是闡釋北京對港澳政策趨同的重要文章。所謂趨同,是指北京處理國家安全、經濟、民生政策的相似性,以及香港和澳門新的地緣政治和地緣經濟定位。香港特別行政區和澳門特別行政區都通過加強愛國者治港、治澳工作重新安排政治治理,重新設計強調和諧和愛國主義的社會,重新定位與大陸的經濟融合,並重新強調明確分工,促進經濟發展,喚起港澳的地緣戰略意識,既要與國家發展大局緊密結合,又要為維護國家安全、民族復興和「一帶一路」建設貢獻力量。
An Analysis of Hong Kong Macau Affairs Office’s summary of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong and Macau
On June 5, 2023, the party organizational learning group under the Hong Kong Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) carried a long article in Guangming Ribao to sum up the practice of “one country, two systems” as espoused by President Xi Jinping. It is necessary to go through the HKMAO’s summary and see how its interpretation has been shaping the recent and ongoing development of Hong Kong and Macau.
The long article contained the ten major points that deserve our attention and analysis.
First, Hong Kong and Macau must accurately and resolutely implement the principle of “one country, two systems,” whose basic tenet is to protect national sovereignty, safety, developmental interest and the economic prosperity of Hong Kong and Macau. Most importantly, the relationships between “one country” and “two systems” has to be understood in terms of the subordination of “two systems” to “one country.” Without one country’s socialist system and its leadership of the Communist Party of China, the foundation of the “two systems” cannot be protected.
Second, it is necessary to resolutely implement the central authorities’ “comprehensive jurisdiction” and its unity with the high degree of autonomy of the special administrative regions. Again, the “comprehensive jurisdiction” of the central government is the origin leading to the “high degree of autonomy” of the special administrative regions. On matters affecting the development and stability of the special administrative regions, the central authorities develop their leading role while respecting and protecting the regional autonomy.
Third, it is necessary to implement the principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong and Macau.” The implementation of this principle relates to the tenet of protecting national sovereignty, safety, developmental interest, and the two places’ economic prosperity. The “patriots” need to govern the major positions of the political structures of the two special administrative regions, and they are expected to protect the well-being of citizens of Hong Kong and Macau.
Fourth, it is necessary to govern Hong Kong and Macau in accordance with the law. Rule of law is the most reliable and stable way of governance, and as such it is necessary to strengthen constitutional governance and the authority of the Basic Law. The system of improving the rule of law education, including the constitution and the Basic Law, must persist for the sake of stabilizing the path of “one country, two systems.”
Fifth, it is necessary to develop the excellence and special advantages of Hong Kong and Macau whose special functions cannot be replaced. With their motherland as the back support, Hong Kong and Macau are connected with the world with their freedom and openness, outstanding business environment, high level of rule of law, and the conglomeration of international capital and talents as well as the cultural mixture of the East and the West. While Hong Kong maintains its common law system, Macau’s legal system is retained so that both places can become successful with the common objective of building up the “One Belt One Road Initiative” and the implication of achieving a win-win situation.
Sixth, Hong Kong and Macau must develop their economy, improve their livelihood, and tackle the deep levels of contradictions and problems of their socio-economic development. President Xi Jinping has said that “development is not only a permanent topic and a building-up foundation of Hong Kong, but it is also a golden key of solving all kinds of problems.” The long-term and deep levels of contradictions and problems of Hong Kong and Macau must be tackled through development.
Seventh, united front work must be developed for people inside and outside China to support “one country, two systems.” This means that the patriotism of the Hong Kong and Macau comrades, according to Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, must be consolidated so that the task of developing the “one country, two systems” can be promoted.
Eighth, the spirit of the Communist Party of China in the 20th Party Congress will have to be implemented, especially the protection of national security in which the situation of Hong Kong and Macau is “complex” and “serious.” Those activities that are “anti-China” and “making Hong Kong and Macau chaotic” must be resolutely combatted and repelled. It is necessary to guard against and curb those “foreign forces intervening in the matters of Hong Kong and Macau.” As such, it is a must to improve the system and implementing mechanism of protecting national security and to strengthen the standard of Hong Kong and Macau in protecting national security and their national security law.
Ninth, it is important to improve the good governance of Hong Kong and Macau. The chief executive and the government authorities of Hong Kong and Macau are supported with the absorption of “patriotic” elites and excellent talents into the government work. The central government supports the special administrative regions to improve their basic-level governance and governing standard.
Tenth, the “one country, two systems” of Hong Kong and Macau have to be integrated into the developmental blueprint and both places can supplement the mainland. While Hong Kong elevates its international financial and monetary status together with its aviation and shipping industry and its trading centre, Macau builds up its trading centre and platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. Both Hong Kong and Macau are going to develop new industries, attract new talents and propel the development of the Greater Bay Area. Under these circumstances, the well-being, and the sense of safety of the residents of Hong Kong and Macau can and will be enhanced. Lastly, the youth can and will work hard for the “one country, two systems” so that both Hong Kong and Macau can and will contribute to the Chinese renaissance for the next two hundred years.
Analytically speaking, the ten main points delineated above by the HKMAO contain the gist of Beijing’s policies toward both Hong Kong and Macau.
The emphasis on the central government’s national sovereignty, safety and developmental interest was first mentioned in the 2014 White Paper on the Implementation of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong – a paper that was published as a response to some Hong Kong politicians who at that time toyed with the idea of launching the so-called Occupy Central Movement to push for political changes. In fact, the origin of “two systems” stems from “one country” – an emphasis mentioned by many mainland Chinese legal experts and authorities on Hong Kong well before the middle of 2014. It was also the 2014 White Paper that first mentioned Beijing’s “comprehensive jurisdiction” over Hong Kong, but at that time many people did not understand its concrete meaning until June 2020 when the national security law was promulgated and when the national security institutions on Hong Kong were established.
The question of “patriots” governing Hong Kong and Macau emerged in the post-2019 turbulence in Hong Kong during which many politicians and political activists challenged the authority of the central authorities. The disqualification of many politicians from Hong Kong’s political institutions, notably the Legislative Council and District Councils, from the late 2019 onwards, and the disqualification of some candidates running for the Macau Legislative Council elections in July 2021 could be seen as the first step leading to the path of grooming and strengthening the “patriots” to govern both Hong Kong and Macau, especially in Hong Kong where the political system was regarded as being infiltrated by elements who were “anti-China” and “making Hong Kong chaotic.” Eliminating these “troublemakers” from the political institutions requires the implementation of the rule of law through the promulgation of the national security law.
Yet, implementing the rule of law alone cannot win the hearts and minds of all residents of Hong Kong and Macau. As such, the central authorities have reminded the necessity of the governments of both Hong Kong and Macau to cope with their deep social contradictions through a whole range of educational, social, housing and welfare policies. At the same time, united front work has to be consolidated, including the focus on youth work, and the strengthened publicity work on people inside and outside Hong Kong and Macau on the implementation of the “one country, two systems.”
To make Hong Kong and Macau function as special places for China’s renaissance and its Belt and Road initiatives, the global talent scheme has been recently implemented. The idea is to attract global and mainland talents into Hong Kong and Macau, which are expected to have clear division of labour. While Hong Kong focuses on its consolidation of international financial and monetary and trade centre, Macau has been reminded to be a platform for China’s closer relations with the Portuguese-speaking countries. Both Hong Kong and Macau are required to accelerate their socio-economic integration with the mainland, especially the Greater Bay Area where Shenzhen’s Qianhai is now cooperating closely with Hong Kong and where the Hengqin-Macau Cooperation Zone is expected to help Macau diversify its economy away from its excessive focus on casino capitalism.
In conclusion, the most recent article published by Guangming Ribao on the summary of “one country, two systems” from the HKMAO perspective is an important work that delineates Beijing’s policy convergence on both Hong Kong and Macau. By convergence, it refers to the similarities in Beijing’s policies of handling the national security, economic prosperity, the people’s livelihood, and the new geopolitical and geoeconomic positioning of Hong Kong and Macau. Both the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau have been reshaped in their political governance through the strengthening work of “patriotic” rule, reengineered in terms of their societal emphasis on harmony and patriotism, reoriented in their economic convergence with the mainland, and reemphasized in their economic development through a clear division of labour, and reminded of their geostrategic sense of not only integrating closely with the mainland’s national developmental plans but also contributing to their motherland’s national security protection, the Chinese renaissance and Belt and Road initiative.
原刊於澳門新聞通訊社(MNA)網站,本社獲作者授權轉載。原文網址:https://www.macaubusiness.com/opinion-an-analysis-of-hong-kong-macau-affairs-offices-summary-of-one-country-two-systems-in-hong-kong-and-macau/