Mainland Affairs Council: 29th Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover, National Security Paramount

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 30) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) released a "Situational Analysis Report on the 29th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Handover," stating that the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) governing principle for Hong Kong is "national security paramount, administration-led." In pursuit of stability, it has intensified the promotion of patriotic education and expanded national security legislation, while the international community is concerned about Hong Kong's "mainlandization."

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) released a "Situational Analysis Report on the 29th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Handover" today, indicating that the international community continues to be concerned about Hong Kong's "mainlandization" and the remaining autonomy of Hong Kong under "One Country, Two Systems."

The report mentioned that the CCP's governing principle for Hong Kong is "national security paramount, administration-led," leading to the dysfunction of checks and balances between the legislative and judicial branches in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government is replicating the "CCP's stability maintenance model" to exert control over politics, education, society, economy, and judiciary, intensifying the promotion of patriotic education, expanding national security legislation, and closely following the CCP's pace in foreign affairs.

The report analyzes the situation from political, economic, social control, judicial, and cross-strait relations perspectives.

On the political front, the CCP released a white paper titled "The Practice of Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong under 'One Country, Two Systems,'" highlighting the CCP's policy cornerstone for Hong Kong as "national security paramount, administration-led." The Hong Kong government amended the implementation rules of Article 43 of the "Hong Kong National Security Law" and enacted the "Safeguarding National Security (Procedural Matters) Regulations" using a "propose and then review/brief" approach. This has sparked discussions about administrative power overriding legislative and judicial power, and has also increased concerns among various sectors about the expansion of Hong Kong's national security red lines.

On the economic front, assessments from major countries and international organizations indicate that Hong Kong remains a highly open economy, and the Hong Kong dollar's peg to the US dollar remains unchanged. However, the implementation and upgrading of national security-related laws, as well as the uncertainties and business risks arising from the high economic linkage between mainland China and Hong Kong, have become important factors for companies considering business operations and investments in Hong Kong.

In terms of social control, national security red lines and patriotic education continue to expand within Hong Kong society. Gatherings and protests on dates such as "May 1st," "June 4th," and "July 1st" have been banned, and press freedom and artistic creation have been subject to censorship and suppression. Relevant authorities are reconstructing history through textbook revisions and public exhibition explanations. The Hong Kong government plans to strengthen its public surveillance system year by year, drawing criticism for replicating the "CCP's stability maintenance model."

On the judicial front, Hong Kong continues to operate under common law and international standards for civil, commercial, and criminal cases unrelated to national security. However, concerns have been raised about the pressure on judicial power in national security cases. The heavy sentencing of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai to 20 years has been criticized by major countries. The Hong Kong government's harassment of relatives of fugitives residing in Hong Kong and its cross-border suppression tactics are ongoing, aiming to create a chilling effect.

Regarding cross-strait relations, various parties are paying attention to the impact of the CCP's "15th Five-Year Plan" (2026-2030) on cross-strait relations. The plan reiterates Hong Kong's need to "integrate" and emphasizes its role in "serving" the overall development of mainland China. The Hong Kong government will formulate its first "Five-Year Plan" this year to align with the "15th Five-Year Plan," leading to public concern about whether this will affect Hong Kong's policy autonomy and free economic system.

The MAC stated that given the frequent exchanges between Taiwan and Hong Kong in trade, economy, and personnel, the government will continue to combine resources from local governments and civil organizations to introduce friendly policies and diverse channels to assist Hong Kong students studying in Taiwan and Hong Kong residents who have moved to Taiwan in settling down and pursuing their livelihoods. The government will improve its risk control mechanisms in accordance with President Lai Ching-te's directive on 17 strategies to counter national security and united front threats. (Editor: Lu Jia-rong) 1150630

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