This year marks the 10th anniversary of Savantas Policy Institute. As a flagship celebratory event, Savantas Policy Institute held a seminar on “the Development of Central Government-Hong Kong SAR relationship” at Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel in Wan Chai today (5th June).

It has been nearly two decades since Hong Kong’s reunification with China. The long-term prosperity and stability of the city largely hinge upon the relationship between the Central Government of PRC and Hong Kong SAR. We were honoured to have three distinguished speakers discussing the outlook for the Central Government-Hong Kong SAR relationship. Our guest speakers were Professor Lau Siu-kai, Emeritus Professor of Sociology of CUHK, the Honourable Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, President of the LegCo, and Mr Tong Ka-wah, SC, Convenor of Path of Democracy. Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, ExCo Member, LegCo Member and Chairperson of Board of Governors of Savantas Policy Institute, was the moderator of the panel discussion.

In her welcoming remarks, Mrs Regina Ip, LegCo Member and Chairperson of Board of Governors of Savantas Policy Institute, said, “The Central Government-Hong Kong SAR Relationship has been a hotly debated topic recently. In 2012, when Mr Zhang Xiaoming, then Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, published an article titled Enriching the Implementation of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’, it was already a reminder by the Central Government that we should have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’. Then in 2014, the Central Government unprecedentedly published the White Paper on The Practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' Policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This year, during his visit toHong Kong, Mr Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC), urged that we should keep up our original aspirations, maintain patience and strengthen our confidence. Without a doubt, the topic of the Central Government-HK SAR relationship is an important one.”

“Savantas Policy Institute, which I founded upon my return from the U.S., is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. We hope that today’s seminar can serve as a platform for leaders of various sectors to share their thoughts regarding the Central Government-HK SAR relationship,” Mrs Ip continued. “May I also extend my gratitude to Professor Lau Siu-kai, Emeritus Professor of Sociology of CUHK, the Honourable Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, President of the LegCo, and Mr Tong Ka-wah, SC, Convenor of Path of Democracy, for sparing their time to be our guest speakers and share their views on this important topic.”

Professor Lau Siu-kai, Emeritus Professor of Sociology of CUHK, reckons that the Central Government-HK SAR relationship is now going through a difficult time. He observed that the power and duties between the Central Government and Hong Kong are seldom talked about, which is one of the sources of the disagreements between Mainland and Hong Kong. Yet, he is confident that political disagreements could be addressed through constructive interaction and dialogue. He pointed out that both the Central Government and its opponents want to protect themselves and play safe. Professor Lau believes that the “One Country, Two Systems” is the best way to sustain Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. The Mainland-HK relationship can be improved only by enhancing the “One Country, Two Systems”, rather than forgoing it.”

The Honourable Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, President of the LegCo, noted that, on the one hand, some Hong Kong citizens think that the Central Government has tightened the reins; on the other hand, the Central Government might think that Hong Kong has deviated from the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”. He believed that opinions on both sides need to be considered. Honourable Tsang also said that there might be some inherent conflicts in the “One Country, Two Systems”, and now is the time for us to think about how Mainland-HK disagreements could be resolved. Noting that Hong Kong will enter the middle phase of the 50 years after the handover in the coming decade, Honourable Tsang believes that different sectors of the society should give due consideration to Hong Kong’s future during this period of time.

Mr Tong Ka-wah, SC, Convenor of Path of Democracy, spoke on the outlook and consensus of “One Country, Two Systems”. He drove home the importance of give-and-take and stressed that, with due respect to both state sovereignty and the “Two Systems”, any proposals regarding constitutional development should be formulated within the framework of the Basic Law. Noting that a lot of disagreements between Mainland and Hong Kong have stemmed from different understandings of the Basic Law, Mr Tong suggested that the HK SAR establish a consultative platform in order to solicit citizens’ views on the implementation of the Basic Law.

After presentations by the three eminent speakers, a panel discussion and Q&A session followed. The seminar attracted a 200-strong audience and came to a successful end at 5 p.m..

http://www.savantas.org/ year, Savantas Policy Institute will forge ahead with the core mission of propelling the transformation of Hong Kong into a knowledge-based economy. More projects and events are coming soon. Please stay tuned:

(From left to right) Mr Tong Ka-wah, SC, Convenor of Path of Democracy, the Honourable Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, President of the LegCo, Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, LegCo Member and Chairperson of Board of Governors of Savantas Policy Institute and Professor Lau Siu-kai, Emeritus Professor of Sociology of CUHK

Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, LegCo Member and Chairperson of Board of Governors of Savantas Policy Institute, was the moderator of the seminar.

Professor Lau Siu-kai, Emeritus Professor of Sociology of CUHK

The Honourable Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, President of the LegCo

Mr Tong Ka-wah, SC, Convenor of Path of Democracy

Lively interaction between the guest speakers