Tammy Tam

City Beat | Mutual trust is key to success of ‘one country, two systems’ after President Xi Jinping’s promise to keep Hong Kong’s governing policy unchanged

Assurances over future of ‘one country, two systems’ by Chinese President Xi Jinping follows recent tumultuous relationship between mainland and Hong Kong

Fuss over Canto-pop star Jacky Cheung’s use of term ‘Hong Kong add oil’ shows ensuring success of governing principle could be easier said than done

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Ensuring the longer-term success of ‘one country, two systems’ could be easier said than done. Photo: Nora Tam

Tammy Tam

Published: 4:12pm, 10 Jul 2022Updated: 9:31am, 11 Jul 2022

“There is no reason for us to change such a good policy, and we must adhere to it in the long run.”

That was the assurance from President Xi Jinping on the future of the “one country, two systems” governing principle for Hong Kong when he attended celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty.

While the message was aimed at both local and international audiences, what should not be missed is the promise it carries to all 1.4 billion people in China, including Hongkongers.

Unfortunately, the Hong Kong-mainland China relationship has had many ups and downs, and more of the latter in recent years. When anti-mainland sentiment reached new heights during the 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong, public sentiment towards the city on the other side of the border was just as negative.

With mutual trust yet to be rebuilt, two recent events provide plenty of food for thought on how ensuring the longer-term success of one country, two systems can be easier said than done.

The first was the fuss over Canto-pop star Jacky Cheung Hok-yau’s use of the term “Hong Kong add oil” in his message for a national show to mark the 25th anniversary.