Madam, - We refer with deep regret to the Editorial entitled "Hong Kong" (July 3rd), in which China was said to have failed to live up to its commitments, and the "two systems" have not included democracy.
In fact, the successful resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the Chinese government was attributed to the implementation of the Chinese government's policy of "One country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", and "A high degree of autonomy". The exercise of power by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has proved the vitality of the proposition of "One Country, Two Systems". In the past 10 years, Hong Kong has successfully dealt with the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the threat of Sars in 2003 and achieved sustained economic growth, prosperity and stability. The way of life of the Hong Kong people and legal system have remained unchanged, and the people enjoy freedom and rights as guaranteed by the Basic Law.
Nowadays, half of the 60 members of the current legislative council are directly elected and the chief executive is elected by a broadly representative election committee. In 2007, live TV debate by the candidates for chief executive was introduced.
As is well known, so-called parliamentary democracy was practised in the UK for about 300 years, yet in the 150 years when Hong Kong was under the British rule, the people were never given the chance to enjoy democracy. All the members of the legislative and executive councils and all the governors were appointed by the British government. Only on the eve of Hong Kong's return to China did the British try in vain to impose the political structure they wanted on Hong Kong. So in this sense, those who ruled Hong Kong in the past years are not really in a position to label others as being undemocratic.
The question of Hong Kong is an internal affair for China and the Chinese people have the wisdom to handle the affairs of Hong Kong in accordance with the principle of "One Country, Two Systems". We are more than ever confident that Hong Kong will enjoy an even brighter future in the years to come. - Yours, etc,
LU KANG, Political Counsellor, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ireland, Dublin.