RTHK's Hong Kong Letter (香港家書)
25 October 2014
Dear students of mine,
In 1984, I began teaching at the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law when the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed. Since then, "one country, two systems" has always been my research interest. Today, I feel that the practice of "one country, two systems" is facing an unprecedented crisis. The road ahead for "one country, two systems" seems to become narrower and narrower, more and more difficult to walk. Now, I am already close to the age of retirement in the University of Hong Kong. But you are still young. So this "Hong Kong Letter" is written for you. I want to talk about whether the future of "one country, two systems" is bright. I hope to share with you frankly, and without reservations, my view of "one country, two systems". In particular, I wish to point out that unless the majority of Hong Kong people, including young people, fully understand the political and legal realities of "one country, two systems" and face the political reality with a rational, pragmatic attitude, the internal contradictions within "one country, two systems" will only continue to grow. The intensifying conflicts within Hong Kong society will bring Hong Kong into "self-destruction". Hong Kong might decline and fall from its prosperity, which was the fate that befell many once thriving cities. On the other hand, if the rational and pragmatic spirit eventually restrains the idealism and radicalism represented by "Occupy Central" and the so-called "non-cooperation movement", Hong Kong's future is still bright. Young people can still be confident and hopeful about the future. Today, Hong Kong is at such a crossroads, such a critical moment. I hope you may face it positively, make a correct assessment of the situation and make a wise choice as to what are the principles and values you should have faith in... Click here to read the full letter in Chinese or listen to the sound recording of the letter in Cantonese.
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