五、香港特別行政區(qū)民主發(fā)展重回正軌
V. Development of Democracy in Hong Kong Is Back on Track

“事有必至，理有固然”?！靶蘩L波”對國家安全、香港法治、經(jīng)濟社會穩(wěn)定造成的嚴重危害令人痛心、發(fā)人深省。2019年10月31日，中共十九屆四中全會明確指出，必須“建立健全特別行政區(qū)維護國家安全的法律制度和執(zhí)行機制，支持特別行政區(qū)強化執(zhí)法力量”“完善特別行政區(qū)同憲法和基本法實施相關(guān)的制度和機制，堅持以愛國者為主體的‘港人治港’、‘澳人治澳’，提高特別行政區(qū)依法治理能力和水平”，“絕不容忍任何挑戰(zhàn)‘一國兩制’底線的行為，絕不容忍任何分裂國家的行為”。中央政府審時度勢，果斷決策，采取了一系列重大舉措，標本兼治，撥亂反正，引領(lǐng)和推動香港局勢和民主發(fā)展重回正軌。
The 2019 turmoil was a painful blow to national security, the rule of law, and social and economic stability in Hong Kong. At the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee concluded on October 31, 2019, the following decisions were made: to reinforce the legal framework and supporting mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the special administrative regions; to support the regions in strengthening law enforcement; to improve the systems and mechanisms for enforcing the Constitution and the Basic Law in the two regions; to ensure Hong Kong and Macao are governed by patriots; to build up the capacity of the special administrative regions to govern in accordance with the law; to grant zero tolerance to any attempt to challenge the One Country, Two Systems principle or divide the country. The central government responded swiftly to the turmoil by taking a series of decisive measures that addressed both the symptoms and root causes of the unrest, restored order, and brought Hong Kong and democracy back on track.

（一）制定實施香港國安法為民主發(fā)展提供基本條件
1. Formulating and Enforcing the Hong Kong National Security Law Has Created Favorable Conditions for the Development of Democracy

維護國家安全是國家的頭等大事。中央政府對香港特別行政區(qū)有關(guān)的國家安全事務(wù)負有根本責任，香港特別行政區(qū)負有維護國家安全的憲制責任。2020年5月28日，第十三屆全國人民代表大會第三次會議通過《關(guān)于建立健全香港特別行政區(qū)維護國家安全的法律制度和執(zhí)行機制的決定》，對建立健全香港特別行政區(qū)維護國家安全的法律制度和執(zhí)行機制提出原則要求，授權(quán)全國人大常委會就此制定相關(guān)法律，切實防范、制止和懲治與香港特別行政區(qū)有關(guān)的嚴重危害國家安全的行為和活動。6月30日，全國人大常委會通過香港國安法，并決定將該法列入基本法附件三，由香港特別行政區(qū)政府同日刊憲公布實施。該法對與香港特別行政區(qū)有關(guān)的分裂國家、顛覆國家政權(quán)、組織實施恐怖活動和勾結(jié)外國或者境外勢力危害國家安全等犯罪及其處罰作出了規(guī)定，建立健全了國家和特別行政區(qū)兩個層面維護國家安全的執(zhí)行機制，并從國家安全的角度進一步明確了參選或者就任香港特別行政區(qū)有關(guān)公職的資格和條件。香港國安法的制定實施，筑牢了特別行政區(qū)維護國家安全的法律制度屏障，有力打擊了“港獨”激進勢力的囂張氣焰，對香港迅速止暴制亂、恢復正常社會秩序、實現(xiàn)由亂到治的歷史性轉(zhuǎn)折發(fā)揮了關(guān)鍵作用，是“一國兩制”事業(yè)發(fā)展的重要里程碑。
National security is of paramount significance for any country. The central government bears a fundamental responsibility for matters of national security pertaining to the HKSAR, and the HKSAR bears a constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security. On May 28, 2020, at the Third Session of the 13th NPC, the Decision on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was adopted. The decision set the guidelines on establishing the legal framework and supporting mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. It authorized the NPC Standing Committee to formulate legislation to effectively prevent, halt, and punish any acts and activities severely jeopardizing national security in the region. On June 30, the NPC Standing Committee passed the Hong Kong National Security Law and included it in Annex III to the Basic Law. On the same day, the HKSAR government released the Hong Kong National Security Law and had it published on The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Gazette for enforcement.
The Hong Kong National Security Law stipulates four offenses – secession, subversion of state power, organization and perpetration of terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security – and the corresponding penalties. This law improves the enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security at both national and HKSAR levels, and it defines the criteria for eligibility and the required qualifications of candidates or nominees for public service positions in Hong Kong. The promulgation and enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law provides a strong legal safeguard for protecting national security in Hong Kong. It has dealt a heavy blow to extremist advocates of independence, and it has been instrumental in quickly quelling riots and restoring order in Hong Kong. The law marks a milestone in advancing the cause of One Country, Two Systems.

任何民主都是在特定國家或地區(qū)范圍內(nèi)的民主，必須以維護本國國家安全為基本前提條件。如果國家安全得不到基本保障，就不可能有正常、真正的民主。切實防范、制止、懲治發(fā)生在香港特別行政區(qū)嚴重危害國家安全的行為和活動，不僅是維護國家安全的迫切需要，也是繼續(xù)推動香港民主正常發(fā)展的需要。香港國安法的制定實施為香港特別行政區(qū)民主發(fā)展重新回到正確軌道創(chuàng)造了基本條件。
Whatever form of democracy runs in any country, it must first and foremost safeguard national security. There can never be workable, authentic democracy without security. To safeguard national security and to develop democracy in the HKSAR, solid measures must be taken to prevent, halt, and punish offenses that seriously undermine national security. The enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law has created favorable conditions for restoring order to the process of building democracy in Hong Kong.

（二）明確香港特別行政區(qū)公職人員參選、任職和就職宣誓等規(guī)矩
2. Rules Have Been Formulated for Hong Kong Public Servants to Stand for Election, Assume Office, and Take the Oath of Office

早在2016年11月7日，針對第六屆立法會議員就職宣誓時發(fā)生嚴重侮辱國家和民族的情況，全國人大常委會作出《關(guān)于〈中華人民共和國香港特別行政區(qū)基本法〉第一百零四條的解釋》，明確擁護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)是參選或者出任香港特別行政區(qū)有關(guān)公職的法定要求和條件；闡明了“就職時必須依法宣誓”的含義，明確了依法宣誓的法律效力及其法律責任，為立法會議員等公職人員就職宣誓定下了規(guī)矩，為阻止反中亂港勢力通過選舉進入香港特別行政區(qū)政權(quán)架構(gòu)加固了法律屏障。
On November 7, 2016, following an incident when some members of the Sixth Legislative Council of the HKSAR insulted China and the Chinese nation when taking the oath of office, the NPC Standing Committee adopted the Interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The interpretation prescribes that upholding the Basic Law and pledging allegiance to the HKSAR are the legal requirements and prerequisites for standing for election or assuming public office in Hong Kong. The interpretation defines the act of taking the oath of office in accordance with the law as well as its legal weight and the legal responsibility it entails. It thus sets rules for oath-taking by members of the Legislative Council and other holders of public office in Hong Kong, and serves as a legal safeguard to prevent agitators from infiltrating the Hong Kong government system by means of elections.

2020年8月11日，全國人大常委會根據(jù)香港特別行政區(qū)行政長官報請國務(wù)院提出的有關(guān)議案，就因受新冠肺炎疫情影響推遲第七屆立法會選舉而出現(xiàn)的立法機關(guān)空缺問題，作出《關(guān)于香港特別行政區(qū)第六屆立法會繼續(xù)履行職責的決定》，明確2020年9月30日后香港特別行政區(qū)第六屆立法會繼續(xù)履行職責不少于一年，直至第七屆立法會任期開始為止。為解決由此引發(fā)的個別議員延任資格爭議，2020年11月11日，全國人大常委會通過《關(guān)于香港特別行政區(qū)立法會議員資格問題的決定》，明確立法會議員因宣揚或者支持“港獨”主張、拒絕承認國家對香港擁有并行使主權(quán)、尋求外國或者境外勢力干預香港特別行政區(qū)事務(wù)，或者具有其他危害國家安全等行為，不符合擁護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)的法定要求和條件，一經(jīng)依法認定，即時喪失立法會議員資格。這進一步明確了就任立法會議員的法定資格，完善了相關(guān)制度機制。
On August 11, 2020, in response to a proposal made to the State Council by the Chief Executive to avoid the absence of a legislature caused by the postponement of the Seventh Legislative Council election due to Covid-19, the NPC Standing Committee adopted the Decision on the Continuing Discharge of Duties by the Sixth Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The decision affirmed that after September 30, 2020, the Sixth Legislative Council of the HKSAR would continue to discharge duties for no less than one year until the Seventh Legislative Council started functioning.
On November 11, 2020, to resolve disputes concerning the continued qualification of a few members of the Legislative Council, the NPC Standing Committee adopted the Decision on Issues Relating to the Qualification of the Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It provides that a member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR should be immediately disqualified if he or she is determined, in accordance with the law, to have committed one of the following acts:
? advocates or supports “Hong Kong independence”;
? refuses to recognize China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong and its exercise of such sovereignty;
? seeks intervention by external forces in the affairs of Hong Kong;
? carries out other activities endangering national security;
? fails to meet the legal requirements and conditions of endorsing the Basic Law and pledging allegiance to the HKSAR.
The decision further defines the legal qualification of members of the Legislative Council and improves the relevant system and mechanism.

（三）完善香港特別行政區(qū)選舉制度
3. The Electoral System of Hong Kong Has Been Improved

2021年3月11日，第十三屆全國人民代表大會第四次會議通過《全國人民代表大會關(guān)于完善香港特別行政區(qū)選舉制度的決定》，明確完善選舉制度應(yīng)當遵循的基本原則和核心要素，授權(quán)全國人大常委會修改香港基本法附件一和附件二。3月30日，第十三屆全國人大常委會第二十七次會議全票通過新的基本法附件一《香港特別行政區(qū)行政長官的產(chǎn)生辦法》和附件二《香港特別行政區(qū)立法會的產(chǎn)生辦法和表決程序》，3月31日起實施。原基本法附件一和附件二及其修正案不再施行。
On March 11, 2021, the Decision on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was adopted at the Fourth Session of the 13th NPC. The decision defines the basic principles and core elements for improving Hong Kong’s electoral system, and authorizes the NPC Standing Committee to amend Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law.
On March 30, at its 27th Session, the 13th NPC Standing Committee unanimously passed the amended Annex I “Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” and Annex II “Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures”. The amended Annex I and Annex II came into force on March 31, and the methods previously in force ceased to apply.

香港特別行政區(qū)隨即以本地立法方式落實全國人大及其常委會的上述決定和對基本法附件一和附件二的修訂。特別行政區(qū)政府提出了涵蓋8項主體法例和24項附屬法例的有關(guān)本地法律修訂法案。2021年5月27日，香港特別行政區(qū)立法會通過《2021年完善選舉制度（綜合修訂）條例》，標志著完善香港特別行政區(qū)選舉制度的工作順利完成。
The Hong Kong government then implemented the decision and the amended Annex I and Annex II through local legislation. It proposed a bill on the amendment of local laws, including 8 principal laws and 24 subsidiary laws. On May 27, 2021, the Legislative Council passed the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021, thus completing the improvements to Hong Kong’s electoral system.

完善香港特別行政區(qū)選舉制度體現(xiàn)了以下五項重要原則：第一，全面準確貫徹“一國兩制”方針，嚴格依照憲法、基本法和全國人大的有關(guān)決定，堅決維護國家主權(quán)、安全、發(fā)展利益，堅決反對外來干涉，維護香港繁榮穩(wěn)定和長治久安。第二，全面落實“愛國者治港”原則，確保香港特別行政區(qū)的管治權(quán)牢牢掌握在愛國者手中，切實保障香港居民合法權(quán)益。第三，堅持依法治港，堅決維護憲法和基本法確定的憲制秩序，堅決維護法治權(quán)威，任何違反法律、破壞法治的行為都必須依法予以追究。第四，增強選舉委員會和立法會的代表性，擴大香港社會均衡有序的政治參與，維護香港社會整體利益和根本利益。第五，強化行政和立法之間的有效配合，提高治理效能，減少政治爭拗和內(nèi)耗。
The improvements are underpinned by five major principles:
? Fully and faithfully implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems, abiding by the Constitution, the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the NPC, resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, resolutely opposing external interference, and maintaining enduring peace and order in Hong Kong;
? Fully implementing the principle of Hong Kong patriots governing Hong Kong, keeping the power to govern Hong Kong firmly in the hands of those who love the country, and ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong residents;
? Upholding the rule of law and its authority in Hong Kong, safeguarding the order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and holding to account anyone guilty of violating the law or undermining the rule of law;
? Making the Election Committee and the Legislative Council more representative, expanding balanced and orderly political participation, and safeguarding the overall and fundamental interests of Hong Kong;
? Improving coordination between the executive and the legislature, improving governance, and reducing political conflict and internal strife.

這次完善香港特別行政區(qū)選舉制度主要有三個方面內(nèi)容。
The improvements cover three areas:

第一，重新構(gòu)建選舉委員會，擴大規(guī)模、增加界別、優(yōu)化分組、完善職能。一是選舉委員會的規(guī)模由原來的1200人擴大到1500人，組成由原來的四大界別擴大為五大界別，每個界別300人。增加了第五界別“港區(qū)全國人大代表、港區(qū)全國政協(xié)委員和有關(guān)全國性團體香港成員的代表界”。選舉委員會每屆任期五年，委員必須是香港特別行政區(qū)永久性居民。二是明確規(guī)定了選舉委員會五大界別共40個界別分組的劃分、名額分配以及產(chǎn)生方式，調(diào)整優(yōu)化了有關(guān)界別分組。選舉委員會委員的產(chǎn)生繼續(xù)沿用原來的三種方式，即當然委員、由提名產(chǎn)生的委員和由選舉產(chǎn)生的委員。三是完善和擴大了選舉委員會的職能，保留選舉委員會選舉產(chǎn)生行政長官人選的職能，恢復選舉委員會選舉產(chǎn)生部分立法會議員的職能，增加選舉委員會參與提名立法會議員候選人的職能。重新構(gòu)建的選舉委員會覆蓋面更廣、代表性更強，社會各界參與更加均衡，更能體現(xiàn)香港社會的整體利益和根本利益，更加符合香港作為一個國際化、多元化、高度發(fā)達的資本主義社會的特點，也更加符合香港特別行政區(qū)作為直轄于中央人民政府的地方行政區(qū)域的憲制地位和實際情況。
First, the Election Committee has been restructured, with its membership enlarged, its sectors increased in number, its delimitation of sectors improved, and its functions enhanced.
? The membership of the Election Committee is increased from 1,200 to 1,500; the number of sectors increased from 4 to 5, with each comprising 300 members. The additional Fifth Sector is composed of Hong Kong deputies to the NPC, Hong Kong members of the CPPCC National Committee, and representatives of Hong Kong members of relevant national organizations. The term of office of the Election Committee is five years, and members of the Election Committee must be permanent Hong Kong residents.
? There are specific provisions concerning the delimitation and allocation of seats, and the formation of the 40 subsectors under the five sectors of the Election Committee, with the delimitation of sectors further improved. The three constituent groups that previously formed the Election Committee will continue to supply members – ex-officio members, validly nominated members, and validly elected members.
? The functions of the Election Committee have been improved and expanded: Its function of electing the Chief Executive designate from the list of nominations is retained; its function of electing some members of the Legislative Council is restored; and its role in nominating candidates for the Legislative Council is added.
The restructured Election Committee has a wider social basis. It is more representative, with more balanced participation by all sectors of society. It thus better represents the overall and fundamental interests of Hong Kong as an international, pluralistic and highly-developed capitalist society, and it fully conforms to the constitutional status and realities of Hong Kong as a local administrative region under the direct jurisdiction of China’s central government.

第二，規(guī)定了行政長官和立法會的產(chǎn)生辦法?；颈Ａ粼瓉淼男姓L官選舉制度，在提名機制等方面有所調(diào)整，以確保行政長官必須由中央政府信任的、堅定的愛國者擔任。重點改革立法會選舉制度，更好地平衡香港社會的整體利益、界別利益和地區(qū)利益。立法會議員人數(shù)由70席增加至90席；由選舉委員會選舉、功能界別選舉和分區(qū)直接選舉分別產(chǎn)生40名、30名和20名議員；同時對立法會選舉的提名、選民資格、選舉方式等作出了具體規(guī)定。
Second, provisions are made concerning the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and the formation of the Legislative Council. The basic elements of the previous system for selecting the Chief Executive are retained, while the nomination mechanisms are adjusted to ensure that the Chief Executive must be a loyal patriot trusted by the central government. The priority is to reform the voting procedures of the Legislative Council so as to strike a better balance between the overall interests of Hong Kong society, the interests of individual sectors, and the interests of the various parts of Hong Kong. The number of members of the Legislative Council has increased from 70 to 90; of these, 40 members are returned by the Election Committee, 30 by functional constituencies, and 20 by geographical constituencies through direct election. There are specific provisions regarding the nomination of candidates for the Legislative Council, voter eligibility, and voting methods.

第三，完善候選人資格審查制度。設(shè)立候選人資格審查委員會，對參加選舉委員會選舉、行政長官選舉和立法會選舉的候選人進行資格審查，確?！皭蹏咧胃邸痹瓌t的全面落實，堅決把反中亂港勢力排除在香港特別行政區(qū)政權(quán)機關(guān)之外。
Third, the system of candidate eligibility review is improved. The Candidate Eligibility Review Committee is established, which is responsible for reviewing the eligibility of candidates for the Election Committee, nominees for the Chief Executive, and candidates for the Legislative Council. This is to ensure that the principle of Hong Kong patriots governing Hong Kong is fully implemented and that those who seek to overturn Hong Kong’s constitutional order and destabilize Hong Kong are disbarred from participation in Hong Kong’s government system.

2021年9月19日，作為香港特別行政區(qū)完善選舉制度之后舉行的首場重大選舉，香港特別行政區(qū)選舉委員會選舉成功舉行。2021年12月19日，第七屆立法會選舉舉行，選舉過程公開、公平、公正、安全、廉潔，充分展現(xiàn)了香港特別行政區(qū)民主實踐的新氣象。
On September 19, 2021, the polls closed in Hong Kong’s 2021 Election Committee Subsector Election, the first major election held successfully under the improved electoral system.
Held on December 19, the elections for the Seventh Legislative Council were open, fair, secure and clean, representing another step forward for democracy in Hong Kong.

實踐表明，香港特別行政區(qū)新的民主選舉制度具有鮮明的特點和優(yōu)越性。第一，具有廣泛代表性。新選舉制度吸引了眾多來自不同背景的人士參選，“五光十色”、多元多樣前所未有，既有商界、學界、專業(yè)界精英，又有來自社會基層的勞工、職員、中小企業(yè)經(jīng)營者代表；既有土生土長的香港人，又有從內(nèi)地和臺灣到香港生活工作的居民、加入中國籍的外國居民；既有經(jīng)驗豐富的資深參政者，又有充滿活力和創(chuàng)新精神的新一代年輕人。居住公屋和“劏房”的人士、巴士車長、注冊電工等成為立法會選舉候選人，這在香港的過去是根本不可能的。
Hong Kong’s new electoral system has the following characteristics and strengths:
First, it is broadly representative. The new electoral system has attracted an impressive range of candidates from a diversity of backgrounds. Among them are representatives of business, academia and the professions, as well as workers, employees, and operators of small and medium-sized enterprises from the grassroots. They include natives of Hong Kong, residents from the mainland and Taiwan who have come to live and work in Hong Kong, and naturalized foreign residents. They range from political veterans to a new generation of young people full of energy and innovation. Ordinary people including residents from public housing and subdivided apartment complexes, bus drivers, and electricians are all likely candidates for the Legislative Council. This would never have happened in Hong Kong in the past.

第二，具有政治包容性。選舉不是“單聲道”，立法會選舉候選人來自不同政治團體、政治派別，代表不同的政治光譜，持有不同的政治理念和抱負。多名持有不同政見和主張的人士，都獲得提名參選，體現(xiàn)了新選舉制度的最大開放包容。在愛國愛港旗幟下，新選舉制度最大程度拉長了包容多樣的半徑，畫出了“一國兩制”實踐行穩(wěn)致遠、香港長期繁榮穩(wěn)定、香港同胞奔向美好生活這個符合香港根本利益的最大同心圓。
Second, it is politically inclusive. Elections should reflect more than one voice. Candidates for the Legislative Council represent various political groups and interests from different points on the political spectrum, espousing different political philosophies, and aspiring to different goals. This shows clearly the open and inclusive nature of the new electoral system. Upholding the principle of loving the country and Hong Kong, the new electoral system has expanded the boundaries of political involvement in line with the fundamental interests of Hong Kong: the sustained implementation of One Country, Two Systems, the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and the pursuit of a better life for the people of Hong Kong.

第三，具有均衡參與性。新的選舉制度將立法會議席分為三大板塊，組成結(jié)構(gòu)得到優(yōu)化，各階層、各界別、各方面均有代表參與立法機關(guān)，從而確保了政治參與的均衡度，兼顧了香港社會各階層和各界別的不同利益，特別是在有利于資本主義發(fā)展的同時，更好地代表了香港的整體利益，保護了各界別利益和地區(qū)利益，更能全面反映民意，更加符合香港實際。
Third, it ensures balanced participation. The new electoral system has optimized the composition of the Legislative Council by dividing membership among those returned by the Election Committee, by functional constituencies, and by geographical constituencies through direct elections. Participation of all social groups and all constituencies in the legislature ensures balanced political representation – diverse interests are thus taken into consideration. While ensuring the sound development of capitalism, the system conforms to Hong Kong’s realities and enables the Legislative Council to better represent the overall interests of Hong Kong, protect the interests of all social groups and geographical constituencies, and reflect public opinion in a more comprehensive way.

第四，具有公平競爭性。這次立法會選舉，全部90個席位都有競爭，沒有任何人自動當選。這是香港回歸以來從未有過的。新選舉制度使得競選活動更加理性、公平、有序，更加注重民生和發(fā)展議題，更加注重參選人的能力和素質(zhì)展示。所有候選人在同一個平臺上競爭，通過比專長、比政綱、比理念、比擔當、比貢獻等方式，積極爭取選民支持。香港過去很長一段時期，盲目從形式上追求西方式民主，實際上帶給香港的并不是真正的民主，而是分化惡斗、社會失序、經(jīng)濟失衡、管治失效，香港居民并沒有真正享受到原汁原味的民主。新選舉制度使選舉回歸良性、理性、平等、干凈競爭，真正體現(xiàn)選舉的本意，真正為香港人謀實惠、謀福祉。
Fourth, it guarantees fair competition. All 90 seats in the Legislative Council elections were contested – the first time since Hong Kong’s return to China. The new electoral system attaches greater importance to the competence and quality of candidates, thus making election activities more rational, fair and orderly, and it addresses a higher level of attention to issues such as people’s lives and regional development. All candidates compete on the same platform, campaigning on their expertise, policies, ideas, contributions, and sense of responsibility.
Prior to the handover, the UK tried to impose elements of a fake Western-style democracy on Hong Kong. Since the handover, local agitators have created polarization and social disorder resulting in economic imbalance and ineffective regulation. None of this has ever helped Hong Kong residents to enjoy genuine democracy. The new electoral system has brought benign, rational, fair and clean competition back to elections, so that the true purpose of elections is achieved, to the greater benefit of the people of Hong Kong.

顯而易見，完善后的香港特別行政區(qū)選舉制度，全面準確貫徹了“一國兩制”方針和基本法，符合香港特別行政區(qū)的實際情況。既堅持“一國”原則，又尊重“兩制”差異；既充分體現(xiàn)“愛國者治港”原則要求，修補了選舉制度存在的漏洞和缺陷，又做到了包容開放；既保證廣泛參與，又體現(xiàn)均衡參與；既發(fā)展選舉民主，又加強協(xié)商民主；既維護了政權(quán)安全，又有利于提高治理效能；既有利于促進良政善治，又有利于維護和實現(xiàn)香港廣大居民的民主權(quán)利。這是香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度的優(yōu)化提升和與時俱進，并為香港特別行政區(qū)民主的長遠健康發(fā)展打下了堅實的基礎(chǔ)，為實現(xiàn)“雙普選”目標創(chuàng)造了有利條件。
Obviously, Hong Kong’s improved electoral system gives full expression to the policy of One Country, Two Systems and the Basic Law in line with Hong Kong’s realities.
? It is based on the principle of One Country while respecting the differences between the Two Systems.
? It is guided by the principle of Hong Kong patriots governing Hong Kong; it closes the loopholes in the previous electoral system, and is open and inclusive.
? It ensures both extensive and balanced participation.
? It reinforces both electoral democracy and consultative democracy.
? It safeguards state authority and improves governance.
? It promotes good governance and upholds and realizes the democratic rights of the Hong Kong people.
The improved electoral system shows that democracy in Hong Kong is advancing with the times. This system ensures the sound long-term development of democracy in Hong Kong, and fosters favorable conditions necessary for the election by universal suffrage of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council.

根據(jù)中國憲法，人民代表大會制度是國家的根本政治制度。全國人大是最高國家權(quán)力機關(guān)，全國人大常委會是其常設(shè)機關(guān)，全國人大及其常委會行使國家立法權(quán)、重大事項決定權(quán)、重大人事權(quán)和監(jiān)督權(quán)。全國人大常委會還擁有憲法和法律的解釋權(quán)。人民代表大會制度為貫徹實施“一國兩制”方針提供了根本制度保障。自二十世紀八十年代開始，全國人大及其常委會在批準《中英聯(lián)合聲明》、起草制定香港特別行政區(qū)基本法、決定香港特別行政區(qū)成立、處理過渡期各種復雜政治法律問題以及解決回歸后香港“一國兩制”實踐出現(xiàn)的各種新問題、新挑戰(zhàn)過程中，發(fā)揮了極其重要的作用。特別是2019年香港發(fā)生“修例風波”以后，全國人大及其常委會履行憲制責任，及時作出一系列重要決定，制定香港國安法，修改基本法附件一和附件二，完善香港特別行政區(qū)選舉制度，對香港特別行政區(qū)止暴制亂、由亂到治，對香港特別行政區(qū)民主發(fā)展重回正軌，對全面準確貫徹執(zhí)行“一國兩制”方針和基本法發(fā)揮了重要作用。
According to the Constitution, the system of people’s congresses is China’s fundamental political system. The NPC is the highest organ of state power, and its permanent institution is the NPC Standing Committee. The NPC and its Standing Committee exercise the legislative power of the state, the power to decide on major issues, the power to appoint and remove top-level officials, and the power of oversight. The NPC Standing Committee has the power to interpret the Constitution and laws. The system of people’s congresses provides a fundamental institutional safeguard for the policy of One Country, Two Systems.
Since the 1980s, the NPC and its Standing Committee have played a vital role in approving the Sino-British Joint Declaration, drafting and enacting the Basic Law, deciding on the establishment of the HKSAR, addressing complex political and legal issues in the transition period, and meeting new challenges encountered in the course of implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems since Hong Kong’s return to China.
In particular, in response to the 2019 turmoil, the NPC and its Standing Committee have fulfilled their constitutional responsibilities and made a series of sound and timely decisions – enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law, amending Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law, and improving Hong Kong’s electoral system. The NPC and its Standing Committee have thus played a critical role in quelling riots and restoring order in Hong Kong. They have ensured that the development of democracy in Hong Kong will continue to make orderly progress, and that the policy of One Country, Two Systems and the Basic Law are fully and faithfully implemented and enforced.

中央政府為發(fā)展和完善香港特別行政區(qū)民主制度所付出的各種努力，都是為了“一國兩制”實踐行穩(wěn)致遠，為了讓全體香港居民更好地行使民主權(quán)利，為了香港長期繁榮穩(wěn)定和長治久安。中央政府永遠是香港特別行政區(qū)民主發(fā)展堅定的主導者、支持者和推動者，是全體香港居民根本利益的守護者。
By making all these efforts to develop and improve democracy in Hong Kong, the central government aims to ensure the success of the policy of One Country, Two Systems, to enable the Hong Kong residents to better exercise their democratic rights, and to maintain Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity. The central government will continue to steer the course for the development of democracy in Hong Kong and support this endeavor, and it will continue to resolutely uphold the fundamental interests of all the people in Hong Kong.