Photo taken on Nov. 19, 2021 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)
Whatever scheme it hatches, the United States must realize a few things: It can neither stop Hong Kong's democratic development and transition from stability to prosperity nor impede the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and some U.S. Congress agencies recently staged a political show to misrepresent the rule of law in Hong Kong and interfere in China's internal affairs.
Unfortunately, the United States has turned a blind eye to reality on the ground in Hong Kong. The city has achieved a return to order and is now at a crucial stage of advancing toward prosperity. To stem China's growth, the U.S. political machine has worked tirelessly to incite confrontation, utilizing Hong Kong as a weapon.
These efforts are doomed to fail.
U.S. politicians are working overtime to distort democracy in Hong Kong. The city was hardly democratic under British colonial rule, which was autocratic in essence. It was the return of Hong Kong to the motherland that marked the opening chapter of its democracy.
The practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong guarantees democracy and the rule of law. For example, Hong Kong has consistently ranked high in the World Bank's Doing Business reports.
A few years ago, anti-China activities were rampant in Hong Kong, and the situation was grim. Those who opposed China and created chaos in Hong Kong colluded with hostile external forces. Under the pretext of "fighting for democracy," they attempted to stage a color revolution, split Hong Kong from China and seize power here. These moves have endangered China's national security and Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
Anti-China forces in the West had also exploited a national security loophole in Hong Kong to undermine the region's governance, seriously trample on the rule of law and social order and challenge the bottom line of the principle of "one country, two systems." Pelosi even called the violence in Hong Kong "a beautiful sight to behold" while condemning the rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol in Washington last year.
Photo taken on June 29, 2021 shows China's national flags and flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on a street in south China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
To put an end to the political turmoil in Hong Kong, the Chinese government has taken a series of major decisions based on a clear understanding of the situation in the region. These include strengthening the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, improving the relevant systems and mechanisms to enforce the Constitution and the Basic Law, reinforcing the legal framework and supporting mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and modifying the region's electoral system, thereby laying the foundations for Hong Kong patriots to govern Hong Kong. These measures address both the symptoms and root causes of the unrest and have restored order to Hong Kong, returning the democratic process to a sound footing.
Since last year, the three critical elections went off without a hitch in Hong Kong, illustrating a new atmosphere of democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong. Today's Hong Kong is further transitioning from chaos to stability and opening a new chapter of sound governance. No hysteria and political performance from any Western politicians can change the bright prospects of Hong Kong's prosperity and development. Their move is doomed to be a complete failure given the current historical trend and the development of the Chinese nation.
Instead of smearing China, the U.S. political elite should focus on its own backyard. From the genocide against Native Americans to the entrenched racial disparity, from the world's largest COVID-19 death toll of 1 million to massive gun violence, America's human rights record and democracy are in shambles. The country is in no position to lecture others.
Whatever scheme it hatches, the United States must realize a few things: It can neither stop Hong Kong's democratic development and transition from stability to prosperity nor impede the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. ■
