Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies Chairman Chen Zuoer, a former vice-director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), called for the “comprehensive and accurate implementation” of the Basic Law and the adherence to “three principles” on Tuesday.
The ex-official said that the three principles must be in line with the “One Country, Two Systems” concept.
Chen, 73, made the remarks during a speech at a seminar on the implementation of the “One Country Two Systems” concept in Macau. The seminar was held at the Macau Science Centre in Nape.
About 40 experts and scholars attended the seminar organised by the Macau Basic Law Promotion Association to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the promulgation of the Macau Basic Law. Zhen was a keynote speaker.
Chen said that the Basic Law must be implemented accurately and comprehensively and that there were three principles to be adhered to.
He said, “Firstly, ‘two systems’ is not on an equal footing with ‘one country’. ‘One country’ should be the foundation for the implementation of ‘two systems’. Secondly, capitalism is not on the same footing as the socialist system. Socialism is enshrined in the country’s constitution while capitalism implemented in Macau and Hong Kong is not separate from the rest of the nation,” Chen said, adding: “From the implementation of [the Basic Laws] in Macau and Hong Kong we have found a third principle – that national sovereignty, national security and national development are not the same as retaining Hong Kong’s and Macau’s long-term stability and prosperity…the former is a national affair while the latter is a regional affair.”
Chen also urged the local government, associations and schools to do more to promote the Macau Basic Law.
Keynote speaker Li Gang, who heads the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau, also said the government should do more to promote the Macau Basic Law. (macaunews/macaupost)
