二、回歸祖國開啟了香港民主的新紀(jì)元
II. The Return of Hong Kong to China Ushered in a New Era for Democracy

二十世紀(jì)七十年代末八十年代初，中國政府決定收回香港，恢復(fù)對香港行使主權(quán)，實行“一國兩制”、“港人治港”、高度自治的方針，由此擘畫了香港回歸后民主發(fā)展的藍(lán)圖，開啟了“一國兩制”下香港民主的新紀(jì)元。
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Chinese government decided to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and announced the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which Hong Kong would be governed by the people of Hong Kong, exercising a high degree of autonomy. A blueprint for developing democracy in post-1997 Hong Kong was drawn up.

（一）中國的國體政體決定了香港回歸后必然實行民主
1. China’s State and Political Systems Determined that Hong Kong Would Establish a System of Democracy After Its Return to
China

中國憲法規(guī)定，國家的一切權(quán)力屬于人民，人民行使國家權(quán)力的機(jī)關(guān)是全國人民代表大會和地方各級人民代表大會。全國人民代表大會和地方各級人民代表大會都由民主選舉產(chǎn)生，對人民負(fù)責(zé)，受人民監(jiān)督。中央和地方各級行政、監(jiān)察、審判、檢察機(jī)關(guān)都由人民代表大會產(chǎn)生，對其負(fù)責(zé)，受其監(jiān)督，充分體現(xiàn)民主原則。根據(jù)“一國兩制”方針，香港特別行政區(qū)作為直轄于中央人民政府的地方行政區(qū)域，其政權(quán)的組織與運行必然同樣遵循民主原則，實行民主制度；同時，香港特別行政區(qū)可以根據(jù)實際情況建設(shè)具有自身特色的民主制度。
It is stipulated in China’s Constitution that all power in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) belongs to the people. The organs through which the people exercise state power are the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the local people’s congresses at all levels. The NPC and the local people’s congresses are established through democratic election and are accountable to the people and subject to their oversight. All national and local administrative, supervisory, adjudicatory and prosecuting organs are created by the people’s congresses and are answerable to them and subject to their oversight, in full accordance with the principles of democracy. According to the policy of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong is a special administrative region directly under the Central People’s Government. In common with all other parts of China, its government is organized on the basis of democratic principles, as are its functions. At the same time, Hong Kong can develop democracy with its own characteristics in light of its actual conditions.

二十世紀(jì)八十年代初，中國共產(chǎn)黨和中國政府根據(jù)香港的實際情況，形成了解決香港問題的十二條基本方針政策（注1），系統(tǒng)規(guī)劃了香港回歸后的政治、經(jīng)濟(jì)、社會、文化、對外事務(wù)等各方面的政策和制度框架，成為“一國兩制”方針的核心內(nèi)容。其中第四條明確香港回歸后“特別行政區(qū)政府由當(dāng)?shù)厝私M成。主要官員在當(dāng)?shù)赝ㄟ^選舉或協(xié)商產(chǎn)生，由中央人民政府委任”。這包含了對香港特別行政區(qū)成立后的民主安排。實行“港人治港”、主要官員在當(dāng)?shù)赝ㄟ^選舉或協(xié)商產(chǎn)生，這是在英國殖民統(tǒng)治下根本不可能做到的。
In the early 1980s, the CPC and the Chinese government laid down
12 basic policies on the future status of Hong Kong, known as the 12 Policies.1 These 12 Policies set out an overall policy and institutional framework for Hong Kong after its return to China, covering political, economic, social and cultural issues, external affairs and other fields. They constitute the core elements of the One Country, Two Systems policy. The fourth basic policy stated that the government of the HKSAR would be composed of local inhabitants, and that principal officials would be selected by election or through consultations held locally and be appointed by the Central People’s Government. It thus outlined steps for establishing a system of democracy in post-1997 Hong Kong. This measure – ensuring that Hong Kong is governed by the people of Hong Kong and that the principal officials are elected or selected by means of consultation – was never considered under British colonial rule.

（二）中國政府堅定維護(hù)在香港特別行政區(qū)發(fā)展民主的既定立場
2. The Chinese Government Remains Committed to Developing Democracy in the HKSAR

1984年12月19日，中英兩國政府在北京簽署《中英聯(lián)合聲明》，其核心內(nèi)容是確認(rèn)中國政府1997年7月1日對香港恢復(fù)行使主權(quán)、英國政府同日將香港交還給中國，并對過渡期作出安排。該聲明旨在解決英國把香港交還給中國的問題，而非解決香港回歸中國后實行什么政治體制包括選舉制度的問題。其中第三條第四項申明“香港特別行政區(qū)政府由當(dāng)?shù)厝私M成。行政長官在當(dāng)?shù)赝ㄟ^選舉或協(xié)商產(chǎn)生，由中央人民政府任命”，附件一明確“香港特別行政區(qū)政府和立法機(jī)關(guān)由當(dāng)?shù)厝私M成”“香港特別行政區(qū)立法機(jī)關(guān)由選舉產(chǎn)生”，這兩處表述是《中英聯(lián)合聲明》涉及香港選舉問題的全部內(nèi)容，根本沒有“普選”“民主”的字眼。
On December 19, 1984, the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed in Beijing. The document specified that the government of the People’s Republic of China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong with effect from July 1, 1997 and that the government of the United Kingdom would restore Hong Kong to the PRC with effect from July 1, 1997. The document also outlines the steps to be taken during the transitional period before Hong Kong’s return to China. The purpose was not to determine what political system would be implemented in Hong Kong after the handover, and certainly not to define the precise nature of the electoral system.
Paragraph 4 of Article 3 of the Sino-British Joint Declaration reads: “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will be composed of local inhabitants. The Chief Executive will be appointed by the Central People’s Government on the basis of the results of elections or consultations to be held locally.”
Annex I to the Sino-British Joint Declaration further specifies that
“the government and legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be composed of local inhabitants” and that “the legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be constituted by elections.”
These are the sole provisions of the Sino-British Joint Declaration concerning elections in Hong Kong. No mention is made of universal suffrage or democracy.

香港回歸后實行什么樣的政治體制包括選舉制度完全是中國內(nèi)政。中國政府在制定基本法的過程中，從國家全局和香港長遠(yuǎn)發(fā)展著眼，主動規(guī)定了香港特別行政區(qū)最終實現(xiàn)行政長官和立法會全部議員由普選產(chǎn)生的目標(biāo)。那種聲稱“雙普選”是英國為香港爭取來的說法，完全違背歷史事實。至于所謂中國政府“違反”《中英聯(lián)合聲明》的說法，不僅罔顧事實，更是對中國的污蔑抹黑。相反，英方在《中英聯(lián)合聲明》簽署后，單方面改變對華政策，處心積慮策劃和實施了一連串違反聲明精神和中英雙方有關(guān)協(xié)議、共識的行動，包括“兩局共識”“居英權(quán)計劃”“人權(quán)法案”“政改方案”以及大規(guī)模修改香港原有法律等等。2020年7月以來，英方出臺關(guān)于香港居民申領(lǐng)英國國民（海外）（BNO）簽證的新政策，推出所謂BNO合資格者移民英國的新路徑，再次公然違反《中英聯(lián)合聲明》的原則精神和兩國有關(guān)諒解共識。
It is for China to decide what political and electoral systems will be adopted in Hong Kong after its return. During the formulation of the Basic Law, keeping in mind the national interests and the long-term development of Hong Kong, the Chinese government set as the ultimate goal that the Chief Executive of the HKSAR will be selected and the legislature constituted by universal suffrage. The assertion that “the UK secured universal suffrage for Hong Kong” has no factual basis.
The allegations that China has violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration are baseless. In reality, the British government unilaterally altered its policy towards China after the declaration was signed. It made massive changes to Hong Kong laws prior to the return, and since the return it has continued to interfere, with actions that contravene the Sino-British Joint Declaration and other agreements between China and the UK.
Prior to the return, these included creating a proposal for political reform (the OMELCO Consensus), implementing the British Nationality Selection Scheme, announcing an electoral reform package for 1994/1995, and enacting the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance.
In July 2020, the British government issued a new policy for Hong Kong residents to apply for a British National (Overseas) visa as a means for them to emigrate to the UK. The policy was another flagrant violation of the principles set in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and relevant agreements between China and the UK.

香港回歸后，中國政府治理香港的憲制法律依據(jù)是中國憲法和香港基本法。英國對回歸后的香港無主權(quán)、無治權(quán)、無監(jiān)督權(quán)，無權(quán)對香港事務(wù)進(jìn)行任何形式的干預(yù)。那些打著“民主”的幌子，以所謂“監(jiān)督”《中英聯(lián)合聲明》實施為借口，動輒通過本國立法和單邊制裁干涉中國香港事務(wù)的行徑，既是對國際法和國際關(guān)系準(zhǔn)則的肆意踐踏，也是對“一國兩制”成功實踐事實的蓄意歪曲，更是對香港民主發(fā)展的粗暴干擾和破壞。
Since Hong Kong’s return to China, China’s Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR have been the foundations underpinning the Chinese government’s governance of the region. The UK has no sovereignty, power of administration, or right of supervision over post-1997 Hong Kong, nor does it have the right to intervene in Hong Kong affairs in any form. Legislative interventions and imposition of sanctions, in the guise of “democracy” and on the pretext of overseeing the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, flout international law and international rules, disrupt the successful practice of One Country, Two Systems, and interfere with and undermine the development of democracy in Hong Kong.

（三）憲法和基本法全面構(gòu)建了香港特別行政區(qū)的民主制度
3. The Constitution and the Basic Law Established the System of Democracy in the HKSAR

——憲法和基本法賦予中央政府建立和發(fā)展香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度的憲制權(quán)力和責(zé)任。憲法第三十一條規(guī)定：“國家在必要時得設(shè)立特別行政區(qū)。在特別行政區(qū)內(nèi)實行的制度按照具體情況由全國人民代表大會以法律規(guī)定。”1985年4月10日，全國人民代表大會決定成立香港特別行政區(qū)基本法起草委員會。7月1日，由59名內(nèi)地和香港各界代表性人士組成的基本法起草委員會正式成立并開始工作。在香港社會各界人士的共同參與下，該委員會歷時四年零八個月完成了基本法的起草工作。1990年4月4日，第七屆全國人民代表大會第三次會議通過基本法，以國家基本法律的形式將中央政府對香港的基本方針政策制度化、法律化，為香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度的建立和發(fā)展提供了憲制性法律依據(jù)，也明確了中央政府主導(dǎo)和決定香港特別行政區(qū)民主發(fā)展的憲制責(zé)任。
– The Constitution and the Basic Law accord the constitutional powers and duties to the central government to establish and develop democracy in the HKSAR
It is stipulated in Article 31 of China’s Constitution that “The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The systems instituted in special administrative regions shall, in light of specific circumstances, be prescribed by laws enacted by the National People’s Congress.”
The NPC decided to set up a drafting committee for the HKSAR Basic Law on April 10, 1985. On July 1, the drafting committee, consisting of 59 mainland and Hong Kong members, was formally established. Representatives from various sectors of Hong Kong society were involved in drafting the Basic Law, a process lasting four years and eight months.
The Basic Law was adopted at the Third Session of the Seventh NPC on April 4, 1990. It codifies the central government’s basic policies towards Hong Kong in the form of a national law and specifies related institutional steps. The Basic Law provides the constitutional basis for establishing and developing democracy in Hong Kong. It also accords the central government constitutional powers and duties to direct and make decisions on the development of democracy in the HKSAR.

憲法和基本法共同構(gòu)成香港特別行政區(qū)的憲制基礎(chǔ)，賦予中央對香港特別行政區(qū)的全面管治權(quán)，既包括中央直接行使的權(quán)力，也包括授權(quán)香港特別行政區(qū)依法實行高度自治以及對特別行政區(qū)高度自治的監(jiān)督權(quán)。中央直接行使的權(quán)力包括設(shè)立特別行政區(qū)、決定特別行政區(qū)實行的制度、組建特別行政區(qū)政權(quán)機(jī)構(gòu)、管理與特別行政區(qū)有關(guān)的外交事務(wù)、管理特別行政區(qū)的防務(wù)、任命行政長官和主要官員、對特別行政區(qū)立法的備案審查、修改和解釋基本法等方面的憲制權(quán)力。其中就包括決定香港特別行政區(qū)實行什么樣民主制度的權(quán)力。
The Constitution and the Basic Law together create the constitutional foundations underpinning the HKSAR. They grant the central authorities overall jurisdiction over the region, detail the powers directly exercised by the central authorities, empower the HKSAR to exercise a high degree of autonomy, and confirm the central authorities’ right to supervise the exercise of this autonomy. The direct powers of the central authorities are to establish the HKSAR, decide on its systems, organize its government, manage foreign affairs and defense affairs related to the HKSAR, appoint the Chief Executive and principal officials, archive and review legislation of the HKSAR, and amend and interpret the Basic Law. The central authorities also exercise the power to decide on the system of democracy in the region.

——基本法規(guī)定了香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度的主要內(nèi)容及未來發(fā)展的路徑和原則。基本法第四十五條和第六十八條規(guī)定了香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度的核心內(nèi)容及其發(fā)展所必須遵循的原則?；痉ㄔ郊缓透郊謩e規(guī)定了香港回歸后前十年行政長官和立法會產(chǎn)生的具體辦法，以及2007年以后對行政長官和立法會產(chǎn)生辦法的修改程序。1990年4月4日與基本法同時通過的《全國人民代表大會關(guān)于香港特別行政區(qū)第一屆政府和立法會產(chǎn)生辦法的決定》，對香港特別行政區(qū)第一屆政府和立法會的產(chǎn)生辦法作出了具體規(guī)定。香港特別行政區(qū)實行以行政長官為核心的行政主導(dǎo)體制，行政機(jī)關(guān)和立法機(jī)關(guān)既互相制衡又互相配合，司法機(jī)關(guān)獨立行使審判權(quán)?；痉ㄆ鸩菸瘑T會在《關(guān)于〈中華人民共和國香港特別行政區(qū)基本法（草案）〉及其有關(guān)文件的說明》中指出，香港特別行政區(qū)的政治體制，要符合“一國兩制”的原則，要從香港的法律地位和實際情況出發(fā)，以保障香港的繁榮穩(wěn)定為目的。為此，必須兼顧社會各階層的利益，有利于資本主義經(jīng)濟(jì)的發(fā)展；既保持原政治體制中行之有效的部分，又要循序漸進(jìn)地逐步發(fā)展適合香港情況的民主制度。這進(jìn)一步闡釋了香港特別行政區(qū)民主發(fā)展所應(yīng)當(dāng)遵循的原則。
– The Basic Law provides the core components of democracy in the HKSAR and the pathway and principles for its future development
Article 45 and Article 68 of the Basic Law provide the core components of democracy in Hong Kong and the principles for implementation. The original versions of Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law laid out the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in the first decade after Hong Kong’s return to China, as well as the processes for amending these methods after 2007. The Decision of the National People’s Congress on the Method for the Formation of the First Government and the First Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was adopted on April 4, 1990 together with the Basic Law, specifying the method to be used.
Hong Kong practices an executive-led system with the Chief Executive at its core. Under this system, there are checks and balances and coordination between the executive and legislative branches, and the judiciary exercises its power independently. In the Explanations on the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Draft) and Its Related Documents, the Drafting Committee for the Basic Law underlined that to ensure the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, the political system should conform to the principle of One Country, Two Systems and respect the legal status and realities of the region. It should accommodate the interests of all sectors of Hong Kong society and facilitate Hong Kong’s economic growth under capitalism. The best practices of Hong Kong’s previous political system should be maintained, together with an orderly and phased development of democracy. These are the principles for developing democracy in the region.

基本法第四十五條第二款規(guī)定，行政長官的產(chǎn)生辦法根據(jù)香港特別行政區(qū)的實際情況和循序漸進(jìn)的原則而規(guī)定，最終達(dá)至由一個有廣泛代表性的提名委員會按民主程序提名后普選產(chǎn)生的目標(biāo)；第六十八條第二款規(guī)定，立法會的產(chǎn)生辦法根據(jù)香港特別行政區(qū)的實際情況和循序漸進(jìn)的原則而規(guī)定，最終達(dá)至全部議員由普選產(chǎn)生的目標(biāo)。這為香港特別行政區(qū)民主發(fā)展指明了“雙普選”的方向。
Paragraph 2 of Article 45 of the Basic Law provides:
“The method for selecting the Chief Executive shall be specified in the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures.” Paragraph 2 of Article 68 provides:
“The method for forming the Legislative Council shall be specified in the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage.”
This sets dual universal suffrage as the ultimate goal in developing democracy in Hong Kong.

——基本法貫徹了以愛國者為主體的“港人治港”原則。基本法第二條規(guī)定，全國人大授權(quán)香港特別行政區(qū)依照基本法的規(guī)定實行高度自治，享有行政管理權(quán)、立法權(quán)、獨立的司法權(quán)和終審權(quán)。第三條規(guī)定，香港特別行政區(qū)的行政機(jī)關(guān)和立法機(jī)關(guān)由香港永久性居民依照基本法有關(guān)規(guī)定組成。第一百零四條規(guī)定，香港特別行政區(qū)行政長官、主要官員、行政會議成員、立法會議員、各級法院法官和其他司法人員在就職時必須依法宣誓擁護(hù)中華人民共和國香港特別行政區(qū)基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區(qū)。這些規(guī)定體現(xiàn)了鄧小平同志強(qiáng)調(diào)的“相信香港的中國人能夠治理好香港”“必須由以愛國者為主體的港人來治理香港”的精神，明確了“港人治港”的界線和標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。實行“一國兩制”下的“港人治港”、高度自治，由愛國的香港人治理香港，這是香港最大的民主。
– The Basic Law embodies the principle of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, with patriots at the core
Article 2 of the Basic Law provides:
“The National People’s Congress authorizes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, in accordance with the provisions of this Law.”
Article 3 continues:
“The executive authorities and legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be composed of permanent residents of Hong Kong in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law.”
Article 104 provides:
“When assuming office, the Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council, judges of the courts at all levels and other members of the judiciary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must, in accordance with law, swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.”
These provisions of the Basic Law encapsulate the principle of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, as expressed in the words of former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping: “We are confident that our fellow Chinese in Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well… Hong Kong must be governed by the people of Hong Kong, with patriots at the core.” These statements set the parameters for Hong Kong’s governance under the policy of One Country, Two Systems, which underpin full democracy in Hong Kong.

——基本法賦予了香港居民廣泛的民主權(quán)利和自由。根據(jù)基本法，香港特別行政區(qū)永久性居民依法享有選舉權(quán)和被選舉權(quán)；香港居民享有言論、新聞、出版、結(jié)社、集會、游行、示威的自由，以及基本法和香港特別行政區(qū)法律保障的其他權(quán)利和自由；《公民權(quán)利和政治權(quán)利國際公約》《經(jīng)濟(jì)、社會與文化權(quán)利的國際公約》和國際勞工公約適用于香港的有關(guān)規(guī)定繼續(xù)有效，通過香港特別行政區(qū)的法律予以實施。基本法還規(guī)定，香港特別行政區(qū)居民中的中國公民依法參與國家事務(wù)的管理。非中國籍的香港特別行政區(qū)永久性居民也依法享有廣泛的政治權(quán)利，包括選舉權(quán)和被選舉權(quán)。這種民主開放程度世所罕見。
– The Basic Law grants extensive democratic rights and freedoms to Hong Kong residents
Under the Basic Law, permanent residents of the HKSAR have the right to vote and the right to stand for election in accordance with the law, and Hong Kong residents have freedom of speech, freedom of the press and publication, freedom of association, assembly, procession and demonstration, and other rights and freedoms provided for under the Basic Law and the laws of the HKSAR. The provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and international labor conventions as applicable to Hong Kong remain in force and shall be implemented through the laws of Hong Kong.
In addition, the Basic Law stipulates that Chinese citizens who are HKSAR residents are entitled to participate in the management of state affairs in accordance with the law. Furthermore, permanent residents of the HKSAR who are not of Chinese nationality also enjoy extensive political rights, including the right to vote and the right to stand for election. By any standard, Hong Kong’s system of democracy is highly open and inclusive.

（四）中國政府排除干擾組建香港特別行政區(qū)政權(quán)機(jī)構(gòu)
4. The Chinese Government Put an End to Interference and Established the Governance Structure for the HKSAR

——爭取實現(xiàn)立法機(jī)關(guān)“直通車”安排。為實現(xiàn)香港平穩(wěn)過渡和政權(quán)順利交接，使香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度在回歸之時就能有效運作，中國政府經(jīng)與英國政府協(xié)商，對香港特別行政區(qū)第一屆立法會的產(chǎn)生辦法作出了特殊安排：原香港最后一屆立法局議員，如符合全國人大有關(guān)決定和基本法的規(guī)定，經(jīng)確認(rèn)可成為香港特別行政區(qū)第一屆立法會議員。這就是“直通車”安排。但是，港英當(dāng)局1992年10月單方面拋出關(guān)于1994/1995年選舉安排的“三違反”“政改方案”。中國政府堅決反對，并以最大的誠意和耐心與英國政府就有關(guān)選舉安排進(jìn)行了17輪談判。英方一意孤行、蓄意對抗，談判最終破裂，“直通車”安排未能實現(xiàn)。需要指出的是，中國政府對港英當(dāng)局管治末期所作的單方面“政改方案”并不是簡單推倒，而是根據(jù)香港的實際情況和循序漸進(jìn)發(fā)展香港民主的原則，作了實事求是的處理，順應(yīng)了香港居民合理的民主愿望。這再次說明中國政府對香港民主的發(fā)展從來都秉持積極態(tài)度，反對的是英方背信棄義、包藏禍心的行徑。
– Striving to secure the “Through Train” arrangement
In order to achieve a smooth transition and transfer of government in Hong Kong, and ensure the effective functioning of the democratic system of the region following the transition, the Chinese government, in consultation with the British government, made a special arrangement for the First Legislative Council of the HKSAR: As long as they met the requirements of the relevant decisions of the NPC and provisions of the Basic Law, members of the final Legislative Council under British rule would be confirmed as members of the First Legislative Council of the HKSAR. This was known as the “Through Train” arrangement.
In October 1992, however, the British Hong Kong authorities unilaterally introduced electoral reform which violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the principle of alignment with the Basic Law, and the agreements and understandings reached between the two sides. This was known as the “Three Violations”.
The Chinese government expressed its firm opposition to this measure. Notwithstanding, with utmost sincerity and patience, it conducted 17 rounds of talks with the British government on electoral arrangements. However, due to intransigence and deliberate confrontation on the British side, the negotiations eventually broke down.
It should be made clear that the Chinese government did not simply overturn the British electoral reform. Instead it adopted a pragmatic approach that took into account the realities in Hong Kong and the principle of developing its democracy in a gradual and orderly manner – an approach that responded to the people’s reasonable wishes for democracy. Once again, this demonstrates that the Chinese government was committed to democracy in Hong Kong. What it opposed was arbitrary and duplicitous actions by the British side.

——組建香港特別行政區(qū)第一屆政府和臨時立法會。根據(jù)1990年4月4日全國人大的相關(guān)決定，全國人大香港特別行政區(qū)籌備委員會于1996年10月5日通過《香港特別行政區(qū)第一任行政長官人選的產(chǎn)生辦法》，11月2日組建香港特別行政區(qū)第一屆政府推選委員會。推選委員會由400名香港永久性居民組成，來自不同階層、界別和方面，具有廣泛代表性。1996年12月11日，推選委員會全部委員出席香港特別行政區(qū)第一任行政長官的選舉，投下自己神圣的選票，選出了香港特別行政區(qū)第一任行政長官人選，并于12月16日獲得中央人民政府任命。這是香港歷史上第一次由港人自己選舉產(chǎn)生本地首長，也是第一次由本地中國公民擔(dān)任這一重要職務(wù)。
– Establishing the First Government and the Provisional Legislative Council of the HKSAR
In accordance with the Decision of the National People’s Congress on the Method for the Formation of the First Government and the First Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, adopted on April 4, 1990, the HKSAR Preparatory Committee of the NPC passed the Method for the Selection of the First Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on October 5, 1996, and established the Selection Committee of the First Government of the HKSAR on November 2. The broadly representative Selection Committee consisted of 400 permanent residents from various social groups, sectors and backgrounds in Hong Kong.
On December 11, 1996, all 400 members of the Selection Committee cast their votes and elected the First-term Chief Executive of the HKSAR. On December 16 the central government appointed the First-term Chief Executive of the HKSAR. This was the first time in history that the head of Hong Kong had been elected by its people, and it was the first time that a local Chinese citizen had assumed this significant role.

在“直通車”安排被英國政府單方面破壞后，為了避免香港特別行政區(qū)成立之時出現(xiàn)立法機(jī)關(guān)空缺的局面，1996年3月24日，全國人大香港特別行政區(qū)籌備委員會通過《關(guān)于設(shè)立香港特別行政區(qū)臨時立法會的決定》，規(guī)定臨時立法會于第一任行政長官產(chǎn)生之后組成并開始工作，至香港特別行政區(qū)第一屆立法會產(chǎn)生為止。1996年10月5日，全國人大香港特別行政區(qū)籌備委員會通過《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區(qū)臨時立法會的產(chǎn)生辦法》。1996年12月21日，推選委員會從130名候選人中選舉產(chǎn)生60名臨時立法會議員。
After the “Through Train” was derailed, the HKSAR Preparatory Committee of the NPC had to avoid a vacuum in its legislature once the HKSAR was established. It therefore passed a decision on March 24, 1996 to establish a Provisional Legislative Council. The decision mandated the formation and the functions of the Provisional Legislative Council after the election of the First-term Chief Executive, until the First Legislative Council was formed.
On October 5, 1996, the Preparatory Committee adopted the method for forming this body. On December 21, the Selection Committee elected 60 members from a total of 130 candidates to form the Provisional Legislative Council.

1997年7月1日，中國政府對香港恢復(fù)行使主權(quán)，結(jié)束了英國對香港一個半世紀(jì)的殖民統(tǒng)治，香港同胞從此成為祖國這塊土地上真正的主人。香港特別行政區(qū)成立，香港特別行政區(qū)第一任行政長官和第一屆政府宣誓就職，標(biāo)志著國家根據(jù)“一國兩制”方針為香港特別行政區(qū)建立的民主制度開始全面運行。香港民主發(fā)展的歷史由此寫下嶄新而光輝的一頁！
On July 1, 1997, the Chinese government resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, ending more than 150 years of British colonial rule. Our compatriots in Hong Kong have since then truly held their future in their own hands. With the founding of the HKSAR and the inauguration of its First-term Chief Executive and First Government, the system of democracy set up by the state in the HKSAR became fully operational under the framework of One Country, Two Systems. This was a landmark event in the history of democracy in Hong Kong.

事實充分說明，中國共產(chǎn)黨和中國政府是香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度的設(shè)計者、創(chuàng)立者、維護(hù)者和推進(jìn)者。中國共產(chǎn)黨和中國政府不僅創(chuàng)造性地提出了“一國兩制”偉大構(gòu)想，構(gòu)建了“一國兩制”制度體系，而且創(chuàng)造性地建立了符合“一國兩制”方針和香港實際情況的民主制度，制定了保障、規(guī)范香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度的有關(guān)法律，開啟了史無前例的“港人治港”實踐。沒有國家對香港恢復(fù)行使主權(quán)，沒有中國共產(chǎn)黨和中國政府對香港民眾福祉的深切關(guān)懷，沒有中國共產(chǎn)黨和中國政府對“一國兩制”初心使命的堅守，就沒有香港民主制度的建立，也就沒有香港民主的實踐。
There is no question that the CPC and the Chinese government designed, created, safeguarded and advanced Hong Kong’s system of democracy. They conceived the principle of One Country, Two Systems, put in place its institutional framework, built a creative democratic system aligned with the principle, and passed laws to ensure the functioning of democracy in Hong Kong. Thus began an unprecedented endeavor – the governance of Hong Kong by the people of Hong Kong. The establishment of democratic institutions and the exercise of democracy in Hong Kong would not have been possible had China not resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It would not have been possible without the deep concern of the CPC and the Chinese government for the people of Hong Kong, and without their commitment to the principle of One Country, Two Systems.