Wu Guangqiang jw368@163.com AT the closing meeting of the third session of the 13th NPC on May 28, China’s legislature voted to pass a decision on establishing and improving Hong Kong’s legal framework and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security. The decision was a major measure to perfect the “one country, two systems” principle, said Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. Li said that the decision was in accordance with China’s Constitution and Hong Kong’s Basic Law and concerned the fundamental interests of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots. The NPC Standing Committee will formulate laws for Hong Kong to safeguard national security, national sovereignty and the interests of safe development in a bid to protect Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity and ensure the “one country, two systems” principle progresses smoothly, Li added. Both the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and people from all walks of life in Hong Kong have expressed their firm support for the move. Not surprisingly, however, Washington and its followers that have long been engaged in sabotaging Hong Kong’s stability have reacted hysterically toward the decisive decision that was made within China’s sovereignty. Trump threatened to “react strongly” and some staunch anti-China politicians along with some Western nations clamored for “punishment” for China. Their “lethal weapon” is nothing new: depriving Hong Kong of the most favored trade partner status and threatening to withdraw foreign investment. Washington can’t scare China with the same old tricks: bluff and brinkmanship, as China has made full preparations for every possible challenge presented by the opponents. Trump should be reminded of one of his few sensible remarks: Hong Kong is part of China, and China can handle its own affairs and needs no advice from us. Ensuring national security and sovereign and territorial integrity is of paramount interest for any nation, so as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi put it, it’s a day dream to expect China to balk at following such principles under outside pressure. As known to all, China has been adhering to its commitment to implementing the “one country, two systems” policy in Hong Kong since its return to China in 1997. The people of Hong Kong have enjoyed a high degree of autonomy and all the rights and freedoms stipulated in the Basic Law of Hong Kong, which is manifested in every aspect of Hong Kong’s political, social, economic and cultural lives. Yet it is Hong Kong’s anti-China forces and their Western sponsors who have never ceased their overt and covert activities aimed at seeking independence and overthrowing Hong Kong government. Not a single day has passed since the founding of the HKSAR without their rampant destruction: organizing separatist groups, carrying out anti-China and violence-inciting propaganda, brainwashing younger generations with vicious ideologies, and most recently since last year having escalated their “opposition” into barbarian terrorism. The whole world witnessed the atrocities committed by black-clad rioters last year when they turned a protest against a controversial bill on the extradition of criminals to the Chinese mainland into nonstop violence that continued even after the Hong Kong government’s withdrawal of the bill. The once-prosperous “Oriental Pearl” has been reduced to a war zone, with vandalism, lynching and arson occurring almost every day. Apparently, it is impossible for the HKSAR Government to stabilize the situation on its own with the presence of evident legal loopholes and lack of enforcement mechanisms in Hong Kong concerning national security. Without a State law providing for Hong Kong’s security and enforcement mechanisms, foreign enemies and funds can enter and exit Hong Kong freely and participate in subversive activities. Arrested terrorists are paroled and even frequently acquitted by “lenient” judges, further emboldening terrorism, and anti-China and anti-government groups are openly carrying out illegal activities. Obviously, anti-China forces have attempted to turn Hong Kong into an advance base to undermine China’s development by taking full advantage of the loopholes in the “one country, two systems” policy and China’s sincerity in implementing the policy. Therefore, it’s inevitable and urgent for China to mend the fence. No one should underestimate China’s determination and capabilities to safeguard its own sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and core interests at all costs! Like any other country, China allows no one to challenge its sovereignty and dignity! (The author is an English tutor and freelance writer.) | 