One country, one system? The evolving controversial relations between Beijing and Hong Kong

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the analysis of the evolving relations between the Central People’s Government of the PRC and the Hong Kong government. Such relations are based on the so-called “one country, two systems” (一国两制) principle, which describes the special status of Hong Kong from 1997 onwards and its dynamics of interaction with Mainland China. The aim of my analysis is to understand how these dynamics have changed over the years, through a report on relevant incidents which involved the two governments. After an introduction to the history of Hong Kong and to the strong sense of identity of its residents, the first section of this study proceeds describing the dual nature of the Basic Law, which is based both on national sovereignty and on local autonomy. Emphasis is put on the issue of interpretation of this mini-constitution by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), which is provided by Article 158 of the Basic Law itself; in this regard, the relations between the two governments are examined through an overview of the interpretations issued by the NPCSC. The second part consists in an analysis on the attempt to introduce the 2019 Amendment on extradition, regulating the extradition between the Mainland and Hong Kong, which led to unrest and debates on the erosion of autonomy of the region. The last part is devoted to a report on recent developments concerning the approval of the 2020 National Security Law and its impact on present and future relation between the two governments at issue. Through an in-depth analysis of all the incidents mentioned above, the concluding remarks aim to understand if a path towards a “one country, one system” framework is currently getting a foothold.