One Country, Two Systems
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One country, two systems
"One country, two systems" is an idea originally proposed by Deng Xiaoping, then Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China (PRC), for the reunification of China during the early 1980s. He suggested that there would be only one China, but areas such as Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan could have their own capitalist economic and political systems, while the rest of China uses the socialist system. Under the suggestion, Taiwan could continue to have its own political system, legal, military, economic and financial affairs, including commercial and cultural agreements with foreign countries, and would enjoy "certain rights" in foreign affairs.[1] Contents 1 Hong Kong and Macau 1.1 Framework 1.2 Implementation 2 Republic of China/Taiwan 3 Comparison to proposals for Tibet 4 See also 5 References Hong Kong and Macau In 1984, Deng Xiaoping proposed to apply the principle to Hong Kong in the negotiation with the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher over the future of Hong Kong when the lease of the New Territories (including New Kowloon) of Hong Kong to the United Kingdom was to expire in 1997. The same principle was proposed in talks with Portugal about Macau. The principle is that, upon reunification, despite the practice of socialism in mainland China, both Hong Kong and Macau, which were colonies of the UK and Portugal respectively, can retain their established system under a high degree of autonomy for at least 50 years after reunification. What will happen after 2047 (Hong Kong) and 2049 (Macau) has never been publicly stated. Chapter 1, Article 5 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, reads:[2] The establishment of these regions, called special administrative regions (SARs), is authorized by Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, which states that the State may establish SARs when necessary, and that the systems to be instituted in them shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People's Congress in light of the specific conditions.
A policy of "one country, two systems" on Taiwan
Taiwan is a sacred and inseparable part of China's territory. Owing to reasons known to all, Taiwan has since 1949 been separated from the mainland. To bring about the complete reunification of China is the common aspiration of all the Chinese, both in the country and overseas. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government take the completion of the grand cause of China's peaceful reunification as their historical mission and have made protracted efforts towards this end. The Chinese government advanced the proposal of peaceful reunification back in the 1950s. In May, 1955, Premier Zhou Enlai stated that "the Chinese people are willing, when conditions permit, to strive to liberate Taiwan by peaceful means." In May, 1960, Chairman Mao said that provided Taiwan is returned to the motherland, with the exception of foreign affairs which must be handled by the national authorities, all the military and political power and the power of appointing officials may be delegated to the Taiwan authorities. This is the origin of the concept of "one country, two systems". In January, 1979, Deng Xiaoping advanced the concept of "one country, two systems" and stated that "so long as Taiwan returns to the embrace of the motherland, we will respect the realities and the existing system there." On September 30, 1981, Ye Jianying, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, officially put forward a nine-point proposal for bringing about the peaceful reunification of the mainland and Taiwan. He said that "after China is reunified, Taiwan may become a special administrative region. It may enjoy a high degree of autonomy and may keep its military forces. The national government will not intervene in the local affairs of Taiwan." "Taiwan's current social and economic systems will remain unchanged, its way of life will not change, and its economic and cultural ties with foreign countries will not change.' A provision on setting up special administrative region was added to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China passed at the Fifth Session of the National People's Congress in 1982, providing legal basis for accomplishing "one country, two systems". On January 30, 1995, President Jiang Zemin delivered an important speech entitled Continue to Strive to Complete the Grand Cause of China's Reunification. In the speech, he elaborated the concept of "one country, two systems" and made an eight-point proposal for improving the across strait relations during the current stage and accelerating the process of China's peaceful reunification. Deng Xiaoping's scientific concept of "one country, two systems" was advanced in light of Taiwan's realities. It both upholds China's state sovereignty and takes into full account the specific conditions of Taiwan. According to the concept of "one country, two systems", two systems will be practiced within the sovereign state of the People's Republic of China. On the premise of one China, the main body of the country will practice the socialist system, while the existing capitalist system and way of life in Taiwan will remain unchanged for a long period of time. This concept is highly flexible in that it both gives full expression to the principle of bringing about China's reunification and upholding its sovereignty and takes into full consideration the history and realities of Taiwan. To practice "one country, two systems" will facilitate the reunification of China, the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and peace and development in the world. The concept has been warmly received by the Chinese people both in China and overseas and by the world public opinion. Guided by the basic guideline of "one country, two systems" and related policies, major progress has been made in the across strait relations. The across strait exchanges in personnel, scientific, cultural and sports fields have maintained a strong momentum, and the across strait economic exchange has greatly benefited both sides. All this shows the strong vitality of the concept of "one country, two systems". Taiwan's future lies in its reunification with the motherland, and attempt to split China will never be accepted as an alternative. Li Denghui and a small number of people in Taiwan who betray the principle of one China and advocate the creation of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" in an attempt to split China are doomed to failure as they will surely run into the firm opposition of the entire Chinese people including the people of Taiwan. To accomplish China's reunification is the trend of the time and common aspiration of the entire Chinese people across the Taiwan Strait. With the joint efforts of the entire Chinese people including the compatriots in Taiwan, the day will certainly come when China is reunified.
Xi stresses correct implementation of 'One country, Two systems' in HK
The SAR should seize the opportunity of the formulation of the nation's 13th Five-Year Plan to develop its economy and improve people's livelihood so as to lay a solid foundation for the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and Hong Kong's long-term development, Xi said. He extended his new year greetings to all Hong Kong citizens. Top legislator Zhang Dejiang also attended the meeting. In a separate meeting with Leung on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang pledged continued support to the HKSAR government. Efforts should be made to maintain the stability of Hong Kong's economic and financial systems, guard against systematic risks so as to preserve and enhance the SAR's status as an important international financial hub, trade and navigation center, Li said. The premier asked the SAR government to incorporate Hong Kong's development with the national development strategy. The central government will take full consideration of Hong Kong's role and need when it is setting down related strategies and plans and support the region to play its unique role in the country's economic development and opening up, according to Li. Leung said the SAR will enhance financial and sci-tech cooperation with the inland in the following year, develop together with the country, and seek fresh impetus for Hong Kong's future development.
Knowledge Graph
Examples
1 Hong Kong's defacto constitution, the Basic Law, states that Hong Kong will co-exist with China as "one country, two systems" for 50 years after the handover of power in 1997.
2 One country, two systems" is a basic state policy the Chinese government has adopted to realize the peaceful reunification of the country.
3 Hong Kong's return to the motherland turned "one country, two systems" from a scientific concept into vivid reality.