On the fence asked:
Although they are technically full parts of China, I’m told that they are run entirely separately, and more or less treated as separate entities from China. Is it true their government has complete self-rule, they deal with their foreign relations separately, their immigration laws are separate, their economy is entirely separate and run separately? Apprently, the citizenship is different. I’m told a citizen of Hong Kong is treated as a foreigner by mainland Chinese law?
In accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and reflecting the policy known as “one country, two systems” by the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong enjoys autonomy as a special administrative region except in defence and foreign affairs.
The declaration stipulates that the region maintain its capitalist economic system and guarantees the rights and freedoms of its people for at least 50 years beyond the transfer of sovereignty.
The Basic Law is the constitutional document that outlines executive, legislative and judicial authorities of government.
Comment by SUNRISE — September 21, 2006 @ 3:53 am
They call it: One country, two systems. At least for now. People from Mainland China need to have a special passport to visit Hongkong and Macau. (they are easy to get though)
People from Hongkong and Macau now have the same rights and responsibilities as the people on the Mainland. Of course all the top political positions in Hongkong and Macau are controlled by the central government in Beijing.
Comment by Kong Ye De — September 22, 2006 @ 12:33 am
One country, two systems.
The PRC doesn’t control the politics in Hong Kong or Macau, they do have to approve elections, etc. Which I suppose could be good or bad, they always do approve the elections. Although, I will note that the elections are very convoluted, much like an election in the US! The people in Macau and Hong Kong can pass through customs with an ID card, but Chinese need a passport and visa to go to Macau and Hong Kong. I don’t understand this.
The system works very well! I think it is an option for the Taiwan problem. Many people left Hong Kong 10 years ago when it went back to China, but they left for no reason. They have all come back now. The only difference that I can see is that instead of an appointed governor from Great Briton, they have an elected local leader.
Comment by adolphusguzman — September 23, 2006 @ 5:18 pm