The "One country, two systems" policy has been successfully implemented in Hong Kong for 15 years. Many people have seen their business and career boom due to the return.
But as Wang Yizhi reports, one person thinks that’s not enough. And he’s been proactive in trying to bring the Hong Kong people’s hearts even closer to the Mainland.
He escaped the "Down to the Countryside Movement" during the turbulent 1970s of China’s Cultural Revolution.
Then 25 years old, Lew Mon Hung swam from the coastal city of Shenzhen and slipped into Hong Kong. Across the water was a completely different society.
Today, Hong Kong is still a capitalist society, only better. Lew says he never expected such prosperity in Hong Kong the night he was struggling in the cold waters.
Now CEO of public company, Lew credits the implement of "one country two systems" policy with aiding his business.
Lew Mon-Hung, member of Commission on Strategic Dev’t, HKSAR, said, “I feel there’s a wide space for great accomplishments. My own career rocketed after 1997. Our petroleum company benefits from the Mainland. Because China is in great need of energy, my company has expanded to other countries, supplementing and interacting with state-owned companies.”
Under the policy of "One country two systems", Hong Kong has retained its capitalist system. The region’s Basic Law supersede all other legislation. It enshrines the legitimacy of the policy, reflecting the sovereignty of China with respect to Hong Kong’s existing legal system.
Lew Mon-Hung said, “One country is a precondition. Two systems bring about differences.”
Apart from running his business, Lew is an active commentator. These are newspaper ads he bought to voice his opinion on the “One Country, Two Systems” policy, social issues, democracy and justice. Each cost him about 100 thousand Hong Kong dollars.
I asked him how his disappointment when fleeing the Mainland changed to supporting the current policies. He cited the economic and social development in the Mainland. He wants more Hong Kong people to share in it.
Lew Mon-Hung said, “I feel obliged to correct the misunderstandings, to stand out and speak up. I wish the return can bring back the hearts of all Hong Kong people, not just the sovereignty. This is a long and complex task for me.”
Reporter: “The unprecedented idea of "one country, two systems" has been carried out smoothly, and become part of the life and most of all, a back bone of Hong Kong during these 15 years. Under the basic law, the system will remain unchanged for another 35 years. The coming years are crucial. On the one hand, the principle must be adhered to, and on the other, the ruling party might have to start planning for the time beyond the promised fifty years.”
