Letters | Hong Kong is part of China, but it is not under China
Shen Chunyao, chairman of the Basic Law Committee and the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, said the relationship between China’s constitution and Hong Kong’s Basic Law was “mother-son” and “higher-lower”.
I disagree with this. It cannot be denied that the Hong Kong government is not completely free to chart its own course. However, this does not mean that Hong Kong is under China. Hong Kong is a part of China, but has a different legal system. The Basic Law stands apart and should not be amended without great caution.
Shen also said: “All Chinese people, including Hongkongers, and all state institutions have to safeguard the dignity of the constitution and ensure its implementation.” While I agree that the Hongkongers need to be familiar with the Chinese constitution, requiring Hongkongers to implement it poses some difficulties.
In conclusion, Hongkongers should not be forced to conform to the Chinese legal system. It would be more effective to impress upon Hongkongers the importance of respecting the mainland system and keeping in mind that “one country” is the foundation of “two systems”.
Jade Ling Sze-lam, Kwai Chung
