What rights does Hong Kong enjoy under one country, two systems?

202 1 12 The the State Council Press Office published the White Paper "Democratic Development in Hong Kong under One Country, Two Systems", which comprehensively reviewed the emergence and development of democracy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and further clarified the principled position of the central government on the democratic development in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In order to publicize and interpret the White Paper, we invited relevant experts and scholars to write a set of articles on the great significance of implementing the policy of "ruling Hong Kong with patriotism" and ensuring the stability and far-reaching practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong.

The prospect of democratic development in Hong Kong is bright.

20211In February, 2026, the State Council Press Office officially published the White Paper "Democratic Development in Hong Kong under One Country, Two Systems" (hereinafter referred to as the White Paper), which is the first time to comprehensively and systematically review and summarize the achievements and experiences of the China government in the construction and development of the democratic system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the democratic practice in the Special Administrative Region.

The white paper points out that there is no democracy in Hong Kong under British colonial rule. The China government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and implemented the policy of "one country, two systems", which created the democratic system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and supported its continuous development and improvement. The determination, sincerity and great efforts of the Chinese Production Party and the China Government to establish and develop democracy in Hong Kong are consistent and obvious to all. This has set the main tone for the white paper, that is, to construct the right to speak on the democratic system and development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and to deconstruct the democratic discourse misled and distorted by anti-China rebels in the past.

The White Paper made a systematic and in-depth attack on British colonial rule in the name of democracy during the transition period of Hong Kong's return to China, and profoundly exposed its political plot to continue to exert political influence after Hong Kong's return to China. British colonial rule not only failed to bring any real democracy to Hong Kong, but also laid a curse for the democratic development of Hong Kong after its return to the motherland.

The Constitution and the Basic Law are the constitutional basis of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Constitution and the Basic Law give the central government constitutional power and responsibility to establish and develop the democratic system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Basic Law provides a constitutional legal basis for the establishment and development of the democratic system in the Special Administrative Region.

The white paper points out that Britain has no sovereignty, power and supervision over Hong Kong after the reunification and has no right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs in any form. Under the guise of "democracy" and under the pretext of "supervising" the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, wantonly interfering in China and Hong Kong affairs is not only a wanton trampling on international law and norms of international relations, but also a deliberate distortion of the successful practice of "one country, two systems" and a gross interference and destruction of the democratic development in Hong Kong.

The establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the swearing-in of the first Chief Executive and the first government marked the beginning of the full operation of the democratic system established by the state for the HKSAR under the principle of "one country, two systems". The history of democratic development in Hong Kong has thus written a brand-new page. Facts have fully proved that the Chinese Production Party and the China Municipal Government are the designers, founders, defenders and promoters of the democratic system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The white paper makes no secret of the difficulties and severe challenges faced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the great historical process of implementing "one country, two systems". As for improving the democratic system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, especially the electoral system, the white paper evaluates that this is a necessary move to govern Hong Kong according to law and bring order out of chaos, a fundamental policy to safeguard national security and the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region, and a solid foundation to ensure the democratic development of Hong Kong on the right track.

The white paper accurately summarizes the characteristics and advantages of the new democratic electoral system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, such as broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition, and highly praises the major breakthrough of the democratic system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the return of democratic development to the right track. Everything the central government has done to develop and improve the democratic system in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is for the practice of "one country, two systems", for all Hong Kong residents to better exercise their democratic rights, and for the long-term prosperity, stability and long-term stability of Hong Kong.

The central government will continue to develop and improve the democratic system in line with the actual situation in Hong Kong in accordance with the Constitution, the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee, and work together with people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to finally achieve the goal of electing the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage.

The white paper points out that the exploration and practice of Chinese-style democracy by the China Productive Party in China has provided strong support for the democratic development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under "one country, two systems". We are full of confidence in the future and democratic development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. A Hong Kong with political democracy, sound rule of law, freedom, openness, tolerance, harmony, prosperity and stability, a motherland and facing the world will surely be better presented to the world.