4月4日，外交部駐港公署劉光源特派員在《南華早報》發表題為《英國殖民舊夢可以休矣》的署名文章，嚴正駁斥英國外交發展大臣特拉斯日前在該報發表涉港錯誤言論，揭批英方罔顧事實，抱持雙重標準和殖民心態，強調香港回歸以來，「一國兩制」取得舉世公認的成功，敦促英方放棄殖民舊夢，停止以任何藉口干預香港事務。文章當日亦在該報網頁版刊登。全文如下：
英國殖民舊夢可以休矣
英國外交發展大臣特拉斯日前在《南華早報》撰文，罔顧香港早已回歸中國的事實，誣衊抹黑「一國兩制」成功實踐和中國政府對港政策，粗暴干預香港事務和中國內政。我要奉勸包括特拉斯女士在內的英國政客，放棄殖民舊夢，不要對香港事務說三道四、指手畫腳。
「一國兩制」是中國的基本國策。中國政府是「一國兩制」事業的創立者、踐行者和維護者，始終堅持「一國兩制」、「港人治港」、高度自治方針。回歸後，香港走上了同祖國內地優勢互補、共同發展的寬廣道路，香港持續保持繁榮穩定，國際金融、航運、貿易中心地位不斷鞏固，港人民主權利和自由得到充分保障。特區新選舉制度落地後，選舉的代表性、包容性、參與性、公平性充分顯現，行政和立法機構形成良性互動，特區政治氣象為之一新，治理效能不斷提升，開啟良政善治新篇章。
反觀150多年英國對港殖民統治期間，港督從來都由英國直接委任，政府要職長期由英國人把持。港人無權自主選舉產生領導人和立法機構，從未享有真正的民主與人權。英國政府在1976年批准《公民權利和政治權利國際公約》時通過保留的方式明確提出，公約有關選舉的規定不在香港適用。港英時期的《公安條例》和《社團條例》更是對集會、遊行、結社加以嚴苛限制。撫今追昔，「一國兩制」實踐一直沿着符合香港利益的軌道前進，英方只有放下偏見，才會對自身「黑歷史」不再「選擇性失憶」，才會對「一國兩制」巨大成功實踐和光明前景不再「選擇性失明」。
香港回歸以來，香港法治在「一國兩制」和基本法框架下不斷發展，香港普通法特色得以保持，法治指數國際排名大幅躍升。香港國安法終結了特區在維護國家安全方面長期不設防的歷史，堅持「懲治極少數，保護大多數」，在尊重和保障人權上秉持高標準。香港國安法實施後，香港社會重歸秩序和穩定，有力發揮「一法安香江」的積極效果。
英方無視香港法治發展成功實踐，竭力破壞香港法治秩序和法治形象；無視國安立法是國際通例以及自身國安法律多、執法嚴的事實，對香港國安法持續污名化、妖魔化。英方標榜「法治」，卻罔顧「有法必依，違法必究」的法治要義，將違法犯罪的反中亂港分子美化為「民主人士」，為其說項開脫。英方還假借撤回英籍法官搞政治操弄，以政治手法干預和破壞香港司法。英方上述行為暴露了「法治」外衣包藏下的真實禍心和雙重標準，完全背離法治精神。
《中英聯合聲明》的核心要義是實現香港回歸，這一歷史使命已經完成。隨着香港回歸、過渡期工作的結束，《聲明》中與英方有關的條款均已履行完畢。英國對回歸後的香港無主權，無治權，無監督權，也不存在所謂「道義責任」。「《聲明》在聯合國登記」也改變不了英方無權再依據《聲明》對香港提出任何權利義務主張的事實。英方動輒借《聲明》干預香港事務，只能說明英方仍沉迷於抱殘守缺的殖民心態。英方甚至不惜違背其在1984年備忘錄中不賦予BNO護照持有者在英居留權等承諾，操弄殖民時代遺留的BNO身份問題，關心港人是假，借BNO坐收漁利是真。
香港回歸近25年，「一國兩制」取得舉世公認的成功。包括英國在內的國際社會都是「一國兩制」的受益者，是香港繁榮穩定的「持份者」，理應共同守護香港，而不是頻繁上演各種政治操弄，干擾破壞「一國兩制」。英方應認清香港早已回歸中國，看清香港由亂及治、由治及興的前進步伐不可阻擋，中華民族偉大復興的歷史大勢不可逆轉，恪守不干涉內政等國際公認的國際法和國際關係基本準則，停止以任何藉口干預香港事務，多做有利於維護中英關係的事。
UK has no 『moral obligation』 to city, just colonial nostalgia
It comes as no surprise that Britain』s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in her article in the Post last week, waded into Hong Kong affairs and China』s internal affairs once again by dismissing the fact that Hong Kong has long ago returned to China while disregarding the success of 「one country, two systems」 as well as the Chinese government』s policies towards Hong Kong. I urge British politicians, including Truss, to step out of their misty-eyed colonial memories and refrain from interfering in Hong Kong affairs.
One country, two systems is China』s basic national policy. As its creator, enforcer and defender, the Chinese government has fully and faithfully implemented the principles of one country, two systems, 「Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong」, and Hong Kong enjoying 「a high degree of autonomy」.
Since 1997, Hong Kong has maintained prosperity and stability as an international financial, shipping and trade centre by complementing the strengths of the mainland and seeking common growth, and the democratic rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people have been strongly protected.
Under the revamped electoral system, Hong Kong enjoys a fresh political climate and has opened a new chapter of sound governance. Its elections have grown more representative, inclusive and fair, contributing to positive interaction between the executive branch and the legislature.
In case anyone should forget: over the 150-plus years of British colonial rule in Hong Kong, all governors were directly appointed by the United Kingdom, and all key official posts occupied by the British. The people of Hong Kong were not entitled to elect leaders or the legislature on their own, and never enjoyed genuine democracy and human rights.
When the British government ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1976, it explicitly excluded a clause about periodic elections from being applied in Hong Kong. What』s worse, the Public Order Ordinance and the Societies Ordinance under British Hong Kong imposed draconian restrictions on assembly, demonstration and association.
By contrast, one country, two systems serves the best interests of Hong Kong and has been on the right track. As for the UK, only by setting aside prejudices could it possibly stop suffering selective amnesia about its stained history and deliberate blindness to the success and bright outlook of one country, two systems.
Over the last quarter of a century, the rule of law in Hong Kong has made great headway under one country, two systems and the Basic Law, its common law system has continued to apply, and its global ranking on legal indexes has soared.
Under the principle of targeting a few and protecting the majority, the national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has plugged legal loopholes in the city pertaining to China』s national security, and upheld high standards in respecting and defending human rights. The law has restored order and stability in the city and brought its development back on track.
To our dismay, Britain has closed its eyes to Hong Kong』s legal progress and the common global practice of adopting national security legislation while remaining mute about its own raft of laws involving national security. Rather, it is obsessed with mangling the image of Hong Kong and demonising the national security law.
On the one hand, the UK boasts about the rule of law, but on the other it whitewashes anti-China elements in Hong Kong as 「democracy activists」, deviating from the tenet that laws shall be enforced and lawbreakers held to account. It also made the politically deceitful move of withdrawing its judges from Hong Kong』s top court to undercut Hong Kong』s justice system.
These actions have laid out its ill intentions and double standards, hidden under the cloak of 「the rule of law」.
The principal function of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is to return Hong Kong to its motherland and that task was accomplished long ago. The provisions relating to the British side in the declaration were all fulfilled upon Hong Kong』s handover and the completion of all follow-up work.
The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong after 1997, and there is no such thing as 「moral obligation」 here. Even its registration with the United Nations does not change the fact that the UK cannot claim any rights or duties over Hong Kong based on the declaration. Britain』s interference in Hong Kong affairs by citing the declaration is a testament to its colonial nostalgia.
What』s more, the UK broke its commitment in the 1984 memorandum not to grant BN(O) passport holders the right of abode in the UK, a manipulation of the issue left over from history. Having Hong Kong people』s back is just an excuse for the UK』s hidden agenda of using British National (Overseas) passports to reap profits.
The past 25 years have shown the success of one country, two systems. The international community, the UK included, is a beneficiary of the formula and a stakeholder in Hong Kong. Members of the global family should contribute to Hong Kong』s development together, to prevent one country, two systems from being damaged.
Hong Kong is part of China, its transition from chaos to stability and prosperity is unstoppable, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is inevitable. These are facts the UK must accept. It must abide by international law and basic norms of international relations, stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs under any cover, and do more to better Sino-British relations.
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