For Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, who came to Hong Kong at the age of 11 and started doing business in 1950, "one country, two systems" not only ensured the stability of Hong Kong, but created time and space for its people and businesses to evolve with a stable social foundation and structure.
The 88-year-old billionaire, in the capacity of Chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Property Holdings, witnessed first-hand Hong Kong's journey into a new era.
"One country, two systems" gives Hong Kong "front row seats" in development, helping it participate in national development plans, Li said.
EXPANDED DEMOCRACY
Democracy, but a mirage during Britain's 150 years of rule, has been greatly expanded.
Successive Hong Kong governors were appointed by Britain rather than elected by Hong Kong citizens. It was not until Hong Kong's return to China in 1997 that such political rights were granted to Hong Kong citizens.
The Basic Law, the HKSAR's mini-constitution, gives universal suffrage as the ultimate goal.
The election of the Chief Executive has become increasingly democratic. Candidates for the first Chief Executive were elected by a 400-member Selection Committee, while candidates for the second to fifth-term chief executives were elected by an election committee, which has grown from 800 to 1,200 members.
In 2015, however, a motion to secure universal suffrage for the 2017 Chief Executive election was blocked by some lawmakers.
In the meantime, the election of the Legislative Council is becoming more and more direct.
The first Legislative Council formed in 1998 had 20 members elected directly by geographical constituencies, 30 members by functional constituencies, and 10 members by the Election Committee.
Starting from 2004, the third and fourth Legislative Councils both had 30 members elected directly by geographical constituencies, and 30 members by functional constituencies. In 2012, the members of the fifth Legislative Council expanded from 60 to 70.
