Peking University, April. 26, 2017: On the morning of April 22, the PKU Center for Hong Kong and Macao Studies and the Hong Kong SAR Government Central Policy Unit jointly organized the "Seminar of commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland - Hong Kong Story" in Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center. The forum focused on the elements and images of "Hong Kong", "return", "motherland", and "stories". More than 30 people including leaders of relevant government departments, Hong Kong political elites, Mainland and Hong Kong veteran scholars, lawyers and businessmen were invited. They discussed Hong Kong's development over the past 20 years, and the successful practice of "one country, two systems".
Activity siteHong Kong's return and the implementation of the Basic Law of Hong Kong SAR are major parts of national governance practice. Since the return, the central government and Hong Kong have been committed to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong under the framework of "one country, two systems". They have succeeded in promoting the development of Hong Kong's political system, advocating the rule of law and bringing social changes under the framework of the Basic Law. Nowadays, Hong Kong's governance has entered a "medium-term period", and it is urgent for the central government, Hong Kong and people from all walks of life to reflect on the past 20 years' experience and lessons, and propose valuable advice for the development of Hong Kong over the next 30 years.
The seminar included an opening ceremony and five research topics. The opening session was chaired by Professor Rao Geping, director of the PKU Center for Hong Kong and Macao Studies. Professor Hao Ping, chairman of Peking University Council, welcomed the experts and scholars present on behalf of PKU. Zhang Rongshun, deputy director of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Feng Wei, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, talked about Hong Kong stories from national perspectives. They also looked forward to the stable development of the country's governance of Hong Kong.
Professor Hao Ping
The symposium was divided into four parts: the return process and drafting of the Basic Law, NPC's interpretation of the law and the rule of law in Hong Kong, national sovereignty and security, and Hong Kong's political and economic development. Senior experts were invited to talk about the stories of Hong Kong related to each part’s theme. Hong Kong stories with sincere national feelings and patriotic spirit, demonstrated the close and deep understandings between the mainland and Hong Kong.
Cao Erbao, a special counselor of the Counselor's Office of the State Council and a researcher at the PKU Center for Hong Kong and Macao Studies, made a keynote speech. In the speech, he mentioned that Hong Kong shall seize the new opportunities that the “One Belt, One Road” initiative brings, and that “One Belt, One Road” would be the strategic development opportunity for Hong Kong over the next 30 years. At the end of the event, Shiu Sin-por, the chief adviser of the Hong Kong SAR Government Central Policy Unit, presided over the closing ceremony.
This event is an important part of a series of activities organized by the state and academia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong. It has received strong support from relevant state departments, the Hong Kong SAR Government and Peking University. Peking University has a renowned tradition of regional research and national governance research.
The PKU Center for Hong Kong and Macao Studies was established in 1994, and has been the vanguard in academic studies of Hong Kong and Macao. Besides, it is also an interdisciplinary, cross-departmental research institution where PKU carries out social science strategic research and responds to the important needs of national governance.
Written by: Qian Kang
Edited by: Wang Yuqing / Gan Zhonghao
