[Commentary] On December 27, the State Council Information Office held a briefing on the white paper on "Democratic Development in Hong Kong under "One Country, Two Systems". The entire Chinese people, including 7.5 million Hong Kong compatriots, own 100% of the intellectual property rights of Hong Kong democracy.

　　[Explanation] Recently, the Information Office of the State Council released the "Democratic Development of Hong Kong under "One Country, Two Systems"" white paper. It has spanned 180 years since the British army's occupation of Hong Kong Island in 1841 and comprehensively reviewed the emergence and development of democracy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. .

　　[Concurrent] Zhi Zhenfeng, Researcher, Research Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

　　During more than a century of colonial rule, the British role in Hong Kong has always been an obstructer, destroyer, and disruptor of Hong Kong's democracy.

Under British colonial rule, Hong Kong had no democracy at all.

The 22nd Governor of Hong Kong appointed by the United Kingdom, Grant Hong, has a very vivid sentence in his memoirs: "In this British colony, the position of the Governor is second only to God."

　　[Explanation] Zhi Zhenfeng, a researcher at the Research Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the Chinese state system determines that Hong Kong will inevitably implement democracy after its return.

　　[Concurrent] Zhi Zhenfeng, Researcher, Research Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

　　The white paper states that the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government are the real designers, founders, defenders, and promoters of democracy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

How did Hong Kong’s democracy come about? The white paper made it very clear: "The return to the motherland has opened a new era of democracy in Hong Kong."

　　[Explanation] On December 19, the voting for the election of the seventh legislative council in Hong Kong ended that night, and 90 members were elected, which passed the second test of Hong Kong’s new electoral system.

Han Dayuan, member of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said that the reform of the electoral system reflects the greatest political tolerance and diversity.

　　[Concurrent] Han Dayuan, member of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress

　　For example, from the perspective of social background, these elected members include clergy, middle school principals, university professors, practicing lawyers, doctors, and community workers. Such broad representation is also a manifestation of political tolerance and diversity.

Of the other 90 elected members, 56 are new faces, and newly elected members account for 62% of the entire Legislative Council.

　　[Explanation] Illegal "Occupy Central" and "Regulations Amendment Disturbance" once changed Hong Kong from a "safe capital" to a "turbulent city", and investors lost their sense of security.

With the implementation of Hong Kong's National Security Law and the improvement of its electoral system, Hong Kong, as one of the international financial centers, has further optimized its business environment.

　　[Concurrent] Zhi Zhenfeng, Researcher, Research Center for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

　　In 2020, Hong Kong’s IPO funds raised exceeded HK$500 billion, an increase of more than 50% year-on-year, making it the world’s second-largest IPO market; the recent report issued by the International Monetary Fund also reaffirmed Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center; According to the report of the Development Conference, Hong Kong ranks as the world's third largest foreign direct investment destination; in the latest 2021 "World Digital Competitiveness Ranking", Hong Kong ranks first in Asia and second in the world.

　　[Explanation] Wang Zhenmin said that it is clear where democracy in Hong Kong came from, where it went, what kind of road it took, who destroyed it, and who saved it.

After perfecting the electoral system, Hong Kong opened a new chapter of democracy.

　　[Concurrent] Wang Zhenmin, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Studies Center of Tsinghua University and Vice President of the National Hong Kong and Macau Studies Association

　　The Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, and the entire Chinese people, including 7.5 million Hong Kong compatriots, own 100% of the intellectual property rights of Hong Kong democracy.

　　Reporter Jean Baokui reports from Beijing

Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]