One country, two systems

One country, two systems

One country, two systems (1C2S) is a constitutional principle of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It explains how the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau are governed.

It was created by Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s. At that time, Hong Kong was being talked about between China and the United Kingdom. This idea said that there would be only one China, but each region could keep its own way of running things.

Under this principle, Hong Kong and Macau could keep their own governments, laws, money matters, and even trade with other countries. This would all be separate from the mainland. The PRC has also proposed using this idea for unification with Taiwan, but Taiwan has not agreed to this.

Background

Deng Xiaoping created the idea of "one country, two systems" for places like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Hong Kong and Macau were once ruled by European countries, and Taiwan had different leadership after a big war in China.

In the context of Hong Kong

Main article: History of Hong Kong

Hong Kong was a part of the United Kingdom for many years, from 1841 until 1997, when it was given back to China. Before this happened, leaders from China and the United Kingdom made an agreement. This agreement promised that Hong Kong could keep its own money, laws, and way of making decisions for 50 years. This allowed Hong Kong to act independently in many international events.

In the context of Macau

Main article: History of Macau

Macau was a part of Portugal for many years, from 1557 until 1999, when it was also given back to China. Similar to Hong Kong, Macau was allowed to keep its own money, laws, and way of making decisions for 50 years. This let Macau participate in international events separately.

In the context of Taiwan

Main article: Cross-strait relations

Deng Xiaoping also thought that "one country, two systems" could be used for bringing Taiwan closer to China. However, Taiwan's government did not agree with this idea, and most people in Taiwan also did not support it.

Application to Hong Kong and Macau

See also: Sino-British Joint Declaration and Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration

The idea of "one country, two systems" was created by China's leader Deng Xiaoping. He shared this idea when talking with leaders from the United Kingdom and Portugal about Hong Kong and Macau.

This idea lets Hong Kong and Macau keep their own ways of doing things even though they are part of China. For example, Hong Kong and Macau can keep their own rules and ways of life for 50 years after joining China.

The two areas handle many of their own matters, like courts and money. But China takes care of things like defense and international agreements. Hong Kong uses its own legal system, while Macau uses a different one.

Implementation in Hong Kong

Degree of autonomy

Before 1997, Hong Kong was a British colony and its citizens could not choose their own leaders. After Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997, Beijing promised that Hong Kong citizens would be free to elect their local government. However, the rules are not clear about when everyone will be able to vote. The plan is that, by the end of a 50-year period, all people will be able to vote.

In the year after the handover, many people in Hong Kong were happy with how Beijing was letting Hong Kong manage its own affairs.

Moral and National Education controversy

In 2012, the Hong Kong government planned to make all schools teach lessons about China and being a good citizen. Some people were worried this would reduce Hong Kong's freedom. There were big protests, and finally, schools were allowed to choose whether to teach these lessons.

Causeway Bay booksellers case

In 2015, five workers at a bookstore in Hong Kong disappeared. Some were last seen in mainland China, and one in Thailand. This caused concern that they were taken away by Chinese authorities. Most of them later returned to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong National Party ban

In 2018, the Hong Kong government banned a political group called the Hong Kong National Party because it was said to threaten China's security. The group's leader and anyone helping the group could face fines or jail time.

Victor Mallet controversy

In 2018, a journalist named Victor Mallet was not allowed to work in Hong Kong after he helped organize a talk by someone who supported Hong Kong independence. This caused debate about whether Hong Kong was still following its promises of freedom.

Extradition bill and Hong Kong 2019–2020 protests

In 2019, Hong Kong planned a new law that would allow people accused of serious crimes to be sent to China. This caused big protests because people were afraid they would not get fair trials in China. The leader of Hong Kong said the law would only be used for certain crimes, but many people did not believe this. The protests grew very large, with many people taking part. After much protest, the leader said the bill would not happen, but concerns about losing freedom continued.

2020 national security legislation

In 2020, China created a new security law for Hong Kong without asking Hong Kong's government first. This law was meant to keep China safe, but some people worried it would reduce Hong Kong's freedom and fair trials. The United States said it would stop giving Hong Kong special treatment because of this change.

Implementation in Macau

Macau and mainland China relations

Macau has stayed peaceful without the protests seen in Hong Kong. Many people in Macau support China because many residents are Chinese immigrants. In 2019, a leader in China praised Macau for its strong sense of identity and called it a good example of the "one country, two systems" idea. Macau’s leader said Macau would show how China can bring its parts together. Because of this, China gave Macau extra land to help improve education and healthcare. Macau keeps its own legal and financial rules, which helps its gambling industry grow and become important worldwide. This has brought much economic growth and international attention to Macau.

Proposed application onto Taiwan

Some people think the idea of one country, two systems was first made for Taiwan. The PRC has often suggested using this system for Taiwan. But Taiwan’s government has not agreed to this idea. Most political groups in Taiwan do not support it, even though a few smaller groups have shown some interest.

In 2019, a leader from the PRC talked about making a special version of one country, two systems just for Taiwan. The current leader of Taiwan said no to this idea and talked about how important Taiwan’s democracy is. Even after elections, the main political group in Taiwan has kept saying they do not want one country, two systems.

Comparison to status of Tibet

Some people think the way Hong Kong is governed under "one country, two systems" might someday be like how Tibet is governed. They say that over time, Hong Kong might lose its special ways and be controlled more directly by the central government.

The 14th Dalai Lama suggested a plan for Tibet that is similar to "one country, two systems." He believed this plan would fit with China's rules. However, Chinese media said this plan would not work because "one country, two systems" was made for places like Hong Kong and Macau, not for Tibet.

One country, two systems proposals for other countries

Muhammad Cohen, writing for Asia Times, suggests the "one country, two systems" idea might help solve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

North Korea has proposed using the "one country, two systems" idea to help unite the Korean peninsula. They want to keep two separate governments, while China hopes for a single government to keep things peaceful.

The Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney thinks the way Hong Kong is linked with China could help solve problems in Northern Ireland after Brexit. This is important because the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland needs to stay open to support peace efforts.