Present status best for Hong Kong's future

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Leung Chun-ying addresses the swearing-in ceremony of the fourth-term government of the HKSAR, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Hong Kong, July 1, 2012. [Photo/Xinhuanet]

Leung Chun-ying, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, recently reiterated that it is common sense that Hong Kong is part of China and will remain so in the future.

Leung was responding to an article advocating Hong Kong's "independence" in the latest issue of Undergrad, the official publication of the Hong Kong University Students' Union earlier this month.

What he said is a simple truth.

The article advocating "independence" is part of a publicity campaign aimed at confusing the public over the SAR's constitutional status beyond 2047, when the promise that "Hong Kong's capitalist system and way of life will remain unchanged for 50 years" will supposedly expire. The writer talks as if the sovereign rule over Hong Kong will be up for grabs at the stroke of midnight on July 1, 2047.

Nothing can be more delusional than that.

But echoing the article's point of view, the Civic Party in Hong Kong also embraces the notion of "self determination" in its manifesto, which was recently updated on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. The party is best known for misinterpreting the Basic Law to justify its attempts to obstruct the lawful administration of the Hong Kong SAR government over the years.

The Civic Party is very supportive of the HKUSU, especially the union's opinions that serve its political agenda, such as turning Hong Kong into an independent political entity. Such delusional rhetoric has found an audience among some of the younger generation. But it may ruin the lives of those young people who are misled by it.

Disguised as "localism" advocates, some people are spreading the myth that Hong Kong can do just fine on its own, politically as well as economically, while their real intention is to confuse the public over Hong Kong's constitutional status so that people will support their attempt to destroy Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

The truth is that maintaining the current constitutional status is the best way for Hong Kong to remain the free economy and prosperous trade hub it is today.

The central government has reiterated time and again, most recently during the two annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee that concluded earlier this week in Beijing, that it will do everything in its power to ensure the SAR's long-term prosperity and stability according to the nation's Constitution and the principle of "One Country, Two Systems".