“One, Country, Two Systems” A Profound Concept for Peaceful Reunification:A Short Presentation

“One, Country, Two Systems” A Profound Concept for Peaceful Reunification

A Short Presentation by Jan Freidun Taravosh 12th - 13th of December 2009

 “If the problem cannot be sol

ved by peaceful 

means, then it must be solved by force. Neither side would benefi

t from that. Reunification of the 

motherland is the aspiration of the whole nation. If it cannot be accomplished in 100 years, it will 

be in 1,000 years. As I see it, the only solution lies in practising two systems in one country. The 

world faces the choice between peaceful and non-peaceful means of solving disputes. One way or 

the other, they must be solved. New problems must be solved by new means”

- Deng Xiaoping

Introduction

As time has shown the quest for peaceful reunification has proved to be the most sustainable solution for reunification in the long run. Comrade Deng is famous in China for the Deng Xiaoping Theory, but a his policy on peaceful reunification has  also captured the attention of peace loving people world wide.

The foundations of the concept for Peaceful Reunification answers to the wishes of the People of China and is the only way to avoid conflict in a larger scale.

Before we get deeper in to the subject I will answer a few basic questions

this will provide a solid foundation for the reader who is new to this subject

 Q: What are the basic principles of  Reunification in China?

A: The basic Principle is Peaceful Reunification i.e. no use of force is advocated and communication based on mutual understanding and respect is promoted.

Q:How did this concept develop?

A: Simply put well in  accordance with the wishes for peace and stability  cherished by the entire  population of the Chinese nation. 

Q: Who formulated the Principle One Country, Two Systems?

 A: Taking into account the realities of the colonial heritage that the former British colony Hong Kong had. Comrade Deng formulated the policy of One Country, Two Systems which provided a solid frame work that made peaceful reunification a possibility. 

Q: Is Chinese Reunification a reality today?

 A: Very much so! After the successful reunification of Hong Kong in 1997 with the Chinese Mainland a similar concept for reunification   for reuniting the former Portuguese colony Macao with the Chinese Mainland was endorsed in 1999. worth noting is that similar efforts are also being made in reuniting Taiwan  with the China PR.

The Basic Formula for Peaceful Reunification

I first came across this profound concept for peaceful reunification a couple of years ago in small yet clearly visionary pamphlet On the Hong Kong Question authored by Comrade Deng Xiaoping. Although short  considering the amount of pages, the message in the pamphlet is clear and thoroughly explained. The Hong Kong question gathers in Momentum considering the fact that the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong provides a certain dynamic to the over all development of The People’s Republic of China and further more and most to me important of all when considering the important role the Hong Kong question has meant for peace and political stability in the region.

The Prosperity and Stability of Hong Kong Must be Maintained

One of Comrade Deng’s Paramount principles in the Hong Kong question was the fact that the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong must be maintained. Comrade Deng realised that it was of paramount importance also to  advocate broad national unity rather than forcing the socialist system of Mainland China on Hong Kong or vice versa forcing the Free market system of Hong Kong on Mainland China - as this involved a giant  risk steeping up unnecessary conflict,  this would only pose a threat to the peace, security and political stability of the People’s Republic as a whole - more over  the customs of the former British colony could not just simply be taken out of the equation, therefore a open policy of dialogue and understanding was endorsed.

 

Comrade Deng explained this in very few words: 

“We don't demand that they be in favor of China's 

socialist system; we only ask them to love the motherland and Hong Kong”

The Autonomy of the Special Administrative Regions

No effort was ever made to force the socialist system of the mainland of the former British colony Hong Kong - which due to it’s colonial heritage inherited a different economic system. Although a delicate Matter the  maintaining of the Economic Autonomy of The Hong Kong Special Administrative region was of vital importance for a smooth transition and as time has passed a dynamic exchange has developed between mainland China and the Special Administrative Region, which fully recognises the specific character of the special Administrative Regions and their peculiarities.

Mutual Respect and Non Interference in Internal Affairs

The exchange between the Mainland part of the China PR and the SAR of Hong Kong is based on mutual respect and non interference in Internal Affairs. It is a well formulated idea, which safeguards both national peace and political stability and encourages cultural diversity.  

Deng Xiaoping explained further:

“Hong Kong's current social and economic systems will remain unchanged, its legal 

system will remain basically unchanged, its way of life and its status as a free port and an 

international trade and financial center will remain unchanged and it can continue to maintain or 

establish economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also stated repeatedly 

that apart from stationing troops there, Beijing will not assign officials to the government of the 

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This policy too will remain unchanged. We shall station 

troops there to safeguard our national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong's internal affairs.”

Co-operation Between (SAR) Regions and Mainland China May Stimulate the Development of the Productive Forces. 

Mainland China Remains under it’s Socialist system but is not entirely separated from cultural and economic exchange with the Special Administrative Regions - Thus the People’s Republic of China since the reunification and the establishment with Special Administrative Regions such as Hong Kong and Macao finds itself in a multi-facetted process for dynamic development which is very different from the one dimensional view of the China PR which continues to persist in the western hemisphere.

 The usual one sided misconceptions of Chinese Society has more to do with prejudice and lack of interest of anything that’s different than the truth of the matter. Comrade Deng in relation to this matter briefly made a comparison to the the concept of special Economic Zones saying: “Our policy towards Hong Kong will remain the same for a long time to come, but this will not affect socialism on the mainland. The main part of China must continue under socialism, but a 

capitalist system will be allowed to exist in certain areas, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. 

Opening a number of cities on the mainland will let in some foreign capital, which will serve as a 

supplement to the socialist economy and help promote the growth of the socialist productive forces. For example, when foreign capital is invested in Shanghai, it certainly does not mean that 

the entire city has gone capitalist. The same is true of Shenzhen, where socialism still prevails. 

The main part of China remains socialist. “ 

The above explains the current phase of economic development that the China PR finds it self in, in a manner that shows not only how large the people’s Republic of China is but more over how versatile and unique it’s government structure   social system  and economic system is.

The Unique Character of Chinese Socialism and the Dynamic Relationship Between the Central People’s Government, Special Administrative Regions and Special Economic Zones

Needless to say the successes of The Profound Policy for Peaceful Reunification, remains a fantastic example of the unique character of Chinese Socialism. 

It is also a key example of the dynamic relationships between the Central People’s Government. Special Administrative Regions and Special Economic Zones which has brought China into a new phase of development unprecedented in the course of history of nations. Comrade Deng noted: 

“ Has any government in the history of the world ever pursued a policy as generous as China's? 

Is there anything recorded in the history of capitalism about any Western 

country doing something similar? When we adopt the policy of "one country, two systems" to 

resolve the Hong Kong question, we are not acting on impulse or playing tricks but are 

proceeding from reality and taking into full account the past and present circumstances of Hong 

Kong” 

 

A Dynamic  Relationship Founded on Trust

The basis of the Profound Policy for Peaceful Reunification as formulated by Comrade Deng and as endorsed by the National People’s Congress of The People’s Republic of China created  positive and reliable framework founded on sincerity and trust. It was a broad based policy for national Unity which fully recognises the fact that The People’s Republic of China is a Dynamic, Multi Cultural and Multi Ethnic Society Comrade Deng spoke of this subject with a certain amount of compassion when he said: 

“We should have faith in the Chinese of Hong Kong, who are quite capable of administering their 

own affairs. The notion that Chinese cannot manage Hong Kong affairs satisfactorily is a leftover 

from the old colonial mentality. For more than a century after the Opium War, the Chinese people 

were looked down upon and humiliated by foreigners. But China's image has changed since the 

founding of the People's Republic. The modern image of China was not created by the 

government of the late Qing Dynasty, nor by the northern warlords, nor by Chiang Kai-shek and 

his son. It is the People's Republic of China that has changed China's image. All Chinese have at 

the very least a sense of pride in the Chinese nation, no matter what clothes they wear or what 

political stand they take. The Chinese in Hong Kong share this sense of national pride. They have 

the ability to run the affairs of Hong Kong well and they should be confident of that. The 

prosperity of Hong Kong has been achieved mainly by Hong Kong residents, most of whom are 

Chinese. Chinese are no less intelligent than foreigners and are by no means less talented. It is 

not true that only foreigners can be good administrators. We Chinese are just as capable. The 

view that the people of Hong Kong lack self-confidence is not really shared by the people of Hong 

Kong themselves. “

Misconceptions concerning the true nature of the Hong Kong question originate normally either from lack of knowledge of the colonial history of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or otherwise it originates from a lack of insight in the true dynamics of The unique and versatile government structure of the People’s Republic of China. 

Conclusion: 

The above presentation of the One Country, Two Systems principle is based on an article written by Comrade Deng Xiaoping entitled “One Country, Two Systems” it was originally published in a pamphlet “On The Hong Kong question” as one of the  articles on the subject, which clarifies the basic concept of this important principle. 

This Pamphlet although rather short, deals thoroughly with the matter at hand and  is an essential read for any one who is interested either in Scientific Socialism, the basic principles of Socialism with Chinese characteristics or international relations or diplomacy  in general.