Tensions in Application of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Principle in Hong Kong

In 1997 Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China and was granted a high degree of autonomy unprecedented for the highly centralized unitary PRC. Hong Kong's autonomy aims to preserve its capitalist system which distinguishes SAR from the other part of the country. The ideological foundation of such autonomy is “one country, two systems” (OCTS) principle enunciated by Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s. Deng intended to use it for the peaceful reunification with Taiwan. However, it was in practice first applied towards the former British possession. The implementation of OCTS in Hong Kong caused a stand-off between Beijing and its local loyalists, on the one hand, and local pan-democrats, on the other, over such issues as the scope of autonomy, interference of the central government in the SAR's political affairs, as well as whether “one country” has precedence over “two systems”. Power struggle within China’s establishment also greatly affects Hong Kong internal matters. Beijing, being doubtful of patriotic sentiment of the population in the autonomy, seeks to avoid rapid democratic reforms which may bring pan-democrats to power. It accuses them of collusion with foreign forces threating China's sovereignty. A slow pace of democratic reforms in Hong Kong outrages local pan-democrats who suspect that the ultimate goal of Beijing is to assimilate Hong Kong culturally, politically and economically. However, the mainstream (moderate) pan-democrats are unable to achieve the goal of free and democratic elections of the Chief Executive and entire Legislative Council. This frustrates certain portion of population some of whom forms radical political groups advocating democratization of SAR through any means, including violence, and demanding referendum on self-determination of Hong Kong and even outright independence of the territory.

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