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MAC report slams `one country, two systems' model

An assessment report made by the Mainland Affairs Council on Hong Kong's practice of "one country, two systems" since its return to China nine years ago revealed an increased tendency by Beijing to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs.

The MAC report said the practice of the system in Hong Kong had been leaning more towards "one country," rather than "two systems."

The report highlighted the undermining of Hong Kong's autonomy, including increased human rights violations, greater limitations on press freedom, increased economic pressure from China which could marginalize the home-grown economy and restrictions on letting the territory hold popular elections to select its chief executive.

The report highlighted an increased tendency in Hong Kong's media to practice self-censuring in order to avoid offending Beijing.

"According to an annual report by the Hong Kong journalists' association, joint ventures between Hong Kong and Chinese media groups have led to the increased practice of self-censuring by the media," the MAC report said.

The journalists' association expressed worries that Beijing, in co-operation with the Hong Kong authorities would gradually sacrifice the territory's freedom of press without the people being aware, the MAC said.

The report also pointed out that Hong Kong's economy is increasingly dependent on China's and this could subsequently undermine Hong Kong's quest for greater political participation.

The MAC also criticized Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (曾蔭權), whose disparities with pro-democracy circles in Hong Kong on the issue of whether to push for a popular vote for Hong Kong's leader had marred the future autonomy of the territory, which the "one country, two systems" model was supposed to guarantee.

The MAC said under Tsang's administration, there had been a growing emphasis from Hong Kong authorities that Hong Kong was not an independent entity.

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