Hong Kong policy paper significant: spokesman

The white paper detailing the "one country, two systems" practice in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has great significance as it clears up confusion over the policy and contributes to unity, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

The white paper, the first of its kind about Hong Kong issued by the central government, is valuable learning material for citizens in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, according to a Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council spokesman.

"The paper is conducive to correcting the vague and biased understanding of the 'one country, two systems' policy among some citizens and contributes to unity among all Chinese people," the spokesman told Xinhua.

The source added that the paper will help the international community better understand the policy and offer a comprehensive picture of its success.

The State Council Information Office published the white paper on Tuesday, stressing the policy as a basic state policy despite new circumstances.

Put forward by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s, the "one country, two systems" policy was aimed to realize the peaceful reunification of the country.

According to Deng, it means there is only but one China and under this premise the mainland adheres to a socialist system while Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan may retain their capitalist systems over a long time to come.

The policy was first applied to solve the question of Hong Kong.