We Must Cut Out the Cancer Tumor of "Hong Kong Independence" from the Body of the State and the Nation

Qian Zhongbing, Xinhua News reporter

We Must Cut Out the Cancer Tumor of "Hong Kong Independence" from the Body of the State and the Nation

Qian Zhongbing, Xinhua News reporter

Hong Kong is China's territory since ancient time. On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong, occupied by British colonists for more than 100 years, finally returned to the motherland. The first article of the Basic Law of Hong Kong clearly states that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inseparable part of the People's Republic of China.

However, since June last year, an amendment storm that has lasted for several months has a heavy impact on it. It is sad to note that various and rampant discussions on "Hong Kong independence" confuse Hong Kong youths with some extreme ideas, a few radical violent elements smear and damage the National Flag and the National Emblem, and attack the agencies of the Central Government stationed in Hong Kong. All these "black violent" acts seriously impact the rule of law, undermine the social order and endanger people's personal safety in Hong Kong, and gradually evolve into "local terrorism".

There is no doubt that "Hong Kong independence" seriously violates the National Constitution, the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the relevant laws in force in Hong Kong, challenges the bottom line of the principle of "one country, two systems", endangers the interests of national sovereignty, security and development, damages the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the fundamental interests of people of all walks of life in Hong Kong, and has become the most serious threat to Hong Kong at present. This cancer on the body of the state and the nation must be cut off with zero tolerance.

Since the end of the Second World War, the specter of separatism has always been looming large in Hong Kong. After return of Hong Kong to the motherland, "Hong Kong independence" virus is still lurking in Hong Kong society, and will come out to play tricks as soon as there is a sign of agitation and disturbance. From the alternative interpretations of "city-state theory" and "Hong Kong nationality theory", to the perverse theories of "national self-determination" and "restoration of Hong Kong", the virus of "Hong Kong independence" has been spreading and becoming more and more public and open until it broke out in a large scale recently.

The words and deeds of "Hong Kong independence" are a great harm to the feelings of the state and the nation and must not be ignored. After the Opium War, China was reduced to a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society. The Chinese people suffered from humiliation of losing their state power and heart-broken destruction of families. The tragic national memory did not end until the founding of new China in 1949. In 1997, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, making Hong Kong people regain their dignity and glory as being Chinese people. However, up to the 21st century, a small number of extremists in Hong Kong reopened their historical scars and sought to undermine national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity with the so-called "Hong Kong independence" as their appeal. They waved the banner of "Hong Kong independence", sold the fallacy of "Hong Kong independence", established the "Hong Kong independence" organization, and also made "Hong Kong independence" and extremely insulting remarks to China during the oath-taking process of members of the Legislative Council. This is not only a betrayal of Hong Kong's ancestors who resisted British colonial rule and Japanese aggression, but also a provocation to all Chinese, including Hong Kong people.

For a long time, Hong Kong shares weal and woe with the motherland. After return to the motherland, the Central Government not only fully supports Hong Kong in coping with various difficulties and challenges, but also gives full play to Hong Kong's role in planning and promoting the overall national development strategy. In the new era, a blueprint of the reform and opening-up as well as the construction of the Belt and Road and the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Bay area will provide a broader space for Hong Kong to develop. It can be concluded whether in the past, at the present or in the future, Hong Kong is always inseparable from the motherland and gets developed together with it. "Hong Kong independence" disobeys the historical trend, cooperates with external anti-China force, and attempts to block China's progress by splitting it. If for a day this virus is not removed, Hong Kong is unable to keep peace for a day.

As early as the Hong Kong issue was put forward, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out, "to achieve national reunification is the aspiration of the nation. If there is no reunification in one hundred years, there will be reunification in one thousand years." Reunification is the common aspiration of the people of all ethnic groups and the national will of the People's Republic of China. Anyone who dares to separate Hong Kong will surely bear the eternal name of a national sinner. For the vast majority of Hong Kong people, "Hong Kong independence" is never their choice. Almost all the survey data show that the vast majority of Hong Kong people are against "Hong Kong independence", because they clearly know that for Hong Kong, "Hong Kong independence" is a path of self-destruction.

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China clearly points out that we should resolutely prevent and curb the interference of external force in Hong Kong and Macao affairs to carry out activities of division, subversion, infiltration and sabotage, so as to ensure the long-term stability of Hong Kong and Macao. The turmoil and chaos in the past year also clearly show that Hong Kong's anti-China and subversive force collaborate with external force, and try to disrupt the operation of the SAR government and challenge the authority of the central government by instigating "political speculation", "economic speculation" and "social speculation". An important reason why they dare to be so unbridled is that Hong Kong has not yet completed the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law. Therefore, it is urgent for Hong Kong to improve its legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security so as to completely curb "Hong Kong independence". This is not only Hong Kong's constitutional responsibility to the country, but also an urgent need to safeguard its own interests.

Maintaining national security is the core of "one country, two systems". In the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Hong Kong plays an indispensable role, and our compatriots in Hong Kong will surely work with the people of the whole country to shoulder the task of rejuvenation and share the great glory. Looking forward to the future, if Hong Kong is to maintain long-term prosperity and stability, it must work with the motherland to cure the "Hong Kong independence" disease with resolute courage and determination, so as to pioneer a clearer and broader path.

(Edited excerpts of the article in xinhuanet.com.cn 21 May 2020)