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Transcript of remarks by CE on White Paper on "The Practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' Policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" (video)
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at a media session at the ground floor lobby of the Office of the Chief Executive at Tamar today (June 10) on the White Paper on "The Practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' Policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region":

Chief Executive: I will now say a few words in English. Today the Central People's Government released the White Paper on "The Practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' Policy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region", after about a year's preparation and drafting, and also translation into seven foreign languages. It encompasses several important chapters, including comprehensive progress made in various undertakings in the Hong Kong SAR, efforts made by the Central Government to ensure the prosperity and development of the Hong Kong SAR, fully and accurately understanding and implementing the policy of "One Country, Two Systems".

Reporter: Chief Executive, the State Council's White Paper states that Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy, but then it says the Central Government has overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong. So what is it? Do we have real autonomy?

Chief Executive: Well, a "high degree of autonomy" means a high degree of autonomy as stipulated in the Basic Law. As stated in the White Paper and also previously by many members of the Hong Kong community and of the international community, "high degree of autonomy" does not mean complete autonomy on the part of Hong Kong. So this is a high degree of autonomy as stipulated in the Basic Law, and it has been in the Basic Law since it was promulgated in 1990.

Reporter: But then what is the significance of this White Paper? Does it override the Basic Law?

Chief Executive: It doesn't override the Basic Law. The White Paper reviews the implementation, the successful implementation, of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Hong Kong in the past 17 years. It also looks forward to how this principle could further be implemented to the benefits of both Hong Kong and the country.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:59

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