(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam welcomed the publication of the white paper titled “Hong Kong: Democratic Progress under the framework of ‘one country, two systems’” by the State Council Information Office today.

Meeting the media this morning, Mrs Lam said: “I think both the content of the white paper and the timing of the release are very much to be welcomed.

“We have just finished a very important election - the formation of the Legislative Council following the enhanced or improved electoral system.

“I could expect that very soon there will be a lot of criticisms and allegations against this particular election. So the best way to refute those allegations is to look back at history. That is why this white paper has given a full account of the development of democracy in Hong Kong before 1997 and after 1997.

“I have read so many talks and reports about Hong Kong’s democracy development which are clearly not based on facts. When they use descriptions like ‘China crackdown on democracy’ or ‘the central authorities have owed the people of Hong Kong universal suffrage’, all those statements were not true if one cares to read the white paper.”

In a statement today, Mrs Lam also said the white paper gives a detailed and systematic historical account of Hong Kong’s democratic development. It points out that there was no democracy whatsoever in Hong Kong under British colonial rule; on the contrary, the central government has been supporting democratic development in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the relevant Basic Law provisions since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.

The paper also outlines the three attempts made by the Hong Kong SAR Government, with the full support of the central government, to promote the city’s democratic development. Regrettably, two of these attempts were vetoed by some self-proclaimed democrats in LegCo and could not be taken forward.

“These are hard facts that no one can deny,” Mrs Lam stressed.

In addition, she pointed out people can see from the white paper that since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, anti-China forces have not only disrupted the development of democracy in the Hong Kong SAR, but have also been spreading false ideas with ulterior motives to undermine the relationship between the central government and Hong Kong. They even challenged the bottom line of national security as well as the authority of the central government and the Basic Law under the pretext of democracy, and used Hong Kong to infiltrate the Mainland, seriously threatening the prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong SAR as well as national security.

“The publication of the white paper has provided strong justifications for the work done by the central government and Hong Kong SAR Government to improve the Hong Kong SAR’s electoral system in order to implement the principle of ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’”, Mrs Lam noted.

Citing the white paper, she emphasised there is no “one size fits all” in the development of democracy, nor a single superior model.

“The democratic development of the Hong Kong SAR must conform to the constitutional order as enshrined in the Constitution and the Basic Law and adhere to the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, while taking account of the actual situation of Hong Kong.”

The Basic Law has stipulated the key elements of the Hong Kong SAR’s democratic system, its principles and the way forward, as well as the ultimate goal of dual universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and LegCo, she noted.

Unfortunately, being misled by anti-China forces, Hong Kong’s democratic process has deviated from the Basic Law for years, causing great political disputes in society and hindering the development of the economy and livelihoods.

The publication of the white paper serves to pre-emptively address the major issue concerning Hong Kong’s democratic development, leaving no room for slandering by external forces, the Chief Executive said, adding that the smooth formation of the seventh-term LegCo through elections manifests the broad representation, political inclusiveness, balanced participation and fair competition of the new electoral system, hence enhancing the Hong Kong SAR’s democratic system.

“We are much encouraged to note that the central government emphasises in the white paper that it will continue to develop and improve democracy in Hong Kong in line with the actual situation and in accordance with the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the relevant decisions of the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee; and it will work with all social groups, sectors and stakeholders towards the ultimate goal of election by universal suffrage of the Chief Executive and all members of LegCo.

“I encourage members of the public, especially the younger generation and students, to read the white paper in detail to strengthen their correct understanding of the development of democracy in the Hong Kong SAR.

“As long as our citizens have a deeper understanding of ‘one country, two systems’, respect the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR and proactively safeguard national security, democracy in the Hong Kong SAR can certainly continue to move forward in a gradual and orderly manner.”

Additionally, Chief Secretary John Lee welcomed and expressed support for the white paper in another statement today.

Citing the successful running of the LegCo election, he said the paper is of profound importance and clearly tells the world that the country is committed to developing democracy in the Hong Kong SAR.

Without the central government’s adherence to its aspiration and mission to implement “one country, two systems”, the establishment of the democratic framework and the exercise of democracy in Hong Kong could not have been possible, he noted.