Lianhe Zaobao:

Many Hong Kong people are worrying about the principle of "one country, two systems" existing in name only, or focusing more on "one country" rather than "two systems." How can the central government reassure them? Thank you.

Yang Guang:

Thank you. I think the core of your question is how to understand the principle of "one country, two systems." This is a complete concept and an integrated set of guidelines and policies requiring comprehensive and precise understanding. "One country" is like the roots of a tree. For a tree to grow tall and luxuriant, its roots must run deep and strong. Implementing the principle in Hong Kong and Macao, we should never hit the three bottom lines. The bottom lines are: Any attempt to endanger national sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is absolutely impermissible. Only based on "one country" can we talk about "two systems." The central government will unswervingly implement the principle and make sure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted. Since Hong Kong's return to China, whenever the central government exercises its power in accordance with the law, questioning always emerges as to whether it would undermine the high degree of autonomy in the HKSAR. In my opinion, such comments are due to some people either not being able to understand the principle of "one country, two systems" comprehensively and precisely, or through deliberate misinterpretation.