As Hong Kong prepares to commemorate the 27th anniversary of its reunification with the motherland, Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, spoke of the “changes and the remaining unchanged” at a Legislative Council luncheon, pointing to the “six changes” and the “six unchanged” that have taken place in the HKSAR since its establishment in 1997. He also proposed “six holding ons” for the city’s new round of development.

Zheng’s message has once again sent a clear message that the central government is determined to uphold “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong people fully support it, strengthening the confidence various sectors of the local community have in “one country, two systems”.

He stressed that the SAR’s rule of law and business environment have remained unchanged, national security is safeguarded, long-term stability is felt and expected, the spirit of the rule of law is upheld, and the common law system is well applied, adding: "We should set a good example of governance by law”.  

As a member of the legal profession, I deeply understand and agree that respect for the rule of law is a core value of Hong Kong, and implementing the common law is a unique asset of Hong Kong. As Hong Kong is now at its best time in striving for economic growth, development and people’s livelihood, we should cherish maintaining the rule of law and stability, ensuring national security and Hong Kong’s security, safeguarding our foundation of stability, taking advantage of the changes in development, and making good use of our unique advantages to promote high-quality development.

The rule of law is the foundation of Hong Kong as a global financial center. Since the handover, the central government has firmly upheld the constitutional order of the HKSAR as enshrined in the Constitution and the Basic Law, the city’s high degree of autonomy in accordance with the law, the Judiciary’s exercise of independent and fair trials, as well as the unswerving support for the full and proper implementation of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong.

However, some anti-China and anti-Hong Kong forces, both within and outside the SAR, have exploited the loopholes in the city’s national security laws in a bid to promote “Hong Kong independence”, and undermine the power of the State, and have repeatedly challenged the bottom line of “one country, two systems”.

The central authorities have insisted on acting in accordance with the law. Under the central government’s leadership, the National Security Law for Hong Kong, as well as the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, have been steadily implemented, resulting in the rule of law and stability being restored and the city being returned to the right track of development.

By adopting double standards, politicians and officials in the United States and the United Kingdom have actively and repeatedly meddled in Hong Kong affairs, particularly in attacking its national security laws, under the guise of human rights, claiming the moral high ground by misrepresenting the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The core elements of Hong Kong’s success, including the rule of law, protection of human rights and judicial independence, as stipulated in the Basic Law, are robustly safeguarded by the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

By making full use of its unique advantage of being a “super-connector” and embracing the great renaissance of the Chinese nation, Hong Kong’s future will surely be even brighter

These laws protect national security while upholding Hong Kong residents’ legitimate rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, press, publication, assembly, procession and demonstration. They also uphold the principles of no double jeopardy and presumption of innocence. Specific exclusions and grounds for the defense of certain offenses are introduced into the new laws.

Hong Kong can only be safe when the country is safe, and the family can only be safe when the country is safe. National security is not only a prerequisite for Hong Kong’s security, but also the foundation for prosperity and stability, and for people to live and work in peace and contentment. With the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the city’s security and stability have been firmly safeguarded.

Hong Kong maintained its high ranking in the 2023 World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index, remaining as one of the world’s freest and most open economies. In the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook published by the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, Hong Kong moved up from seventh to fifth place. The facts have proven that the SAR’s rule of law and its business environment have remained unchanged, and if there were to be any change, it would be for the better. The international community’s endorsement of Hong Kong’s rule of law and business environment is the strongest proof of this.

Having learnt a bitter lesson from the 2019 anti-extradition bill protests, Hong Kong people do understand that the rule of law and stability in Hong Kong have not been easy to achieve, and that national security is a prerequisite for development. Only when Hong Kong can achieve a balance between development and security can we focus on pursuing economic endeavors and its people’s welfare, and accelerating the transition from governance to prosperity.

In the past 27 years since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy have been effectively implemented. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the law are fully protected, and the achievements in economic development and social progress are evident.

With the strong support of the motherland and the protection of the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong’s status and role will only be strengthened, not weakened. With the prominent level of national security laws and regulations, the city will be able to move forward steadily and inexorably. By making full use of its unique advantage of being a “super-connector” and embracing the great renaissance of the Chinese nation, Hong Kong’s future will surely be even brighter.

The author is a law professor, director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, and vice-president of the Hong Kong Basic Law Education Association.