Legalization of the Chinese Communist Party’s Governance over Hong Kong

ABSTRACT

The conflict between Mainland China and Hong Kong regarding the issue of how much autonomy Hong Kong would retain is becoming increasingly intense, especially after the Occupy Central Movement arose in 2014. This paper focuses on the “rule of law” policy under Xi’s government and analyzes how and why the CCP’s rule over Hong Kong was strengthened. Although Xi promotes the “rule of law,” it is different from the one in democracy. This paper, first, outlining the characteristics of the “rule of law” during Xi Jinping’s era and explaining the differences between the rule of law in democracy and the one in China. Second analysis is revealing the personal affairs and organizational structure of the party apparatus to see the linkage of the “rule of law” policy under Xi’s government with the CCP’s control over Hong Kong, and third is examining the reflection and rhetoric of the CCP’s “rule of law” governance over Hong Kong based on the politicians’ discourses. This paper reveals that the “rule of law” with Chinese characteristics implies standardizing the law, centralizing the power, and stabilizing society. The CCP has continually claimed to be “Governing Hong Kong according to Law” but the CCP would only accept the “rule of law” with these characteristics and, of course, without democratization.

KEYWORDS:

• Chinese communist party
• Hong Kong
• rule of law
• basic law

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

¹ The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. “Full Text of the Constitution and the Basic Law.” The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Accessed June 29 2020. https://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_1.html.

² Ibid.

³ “Dang de Shijiu Jie Si Zhong Quanhui ‘Jueding’ (Quanwen),” [A Communique of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 19^th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (Full Text),] Huanqiu NET, November 5 2019. Accessed June 29 2020. https://china.huanqiu.com/article/9CaKrnKnC4J.

⁴ “Guanyu ‘Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu Weihu Guojia Anquanfa (Caoan)’ de Shuoming,” [Explanation about the Draft Law on Safeguarding National Security in HKSAR], People’s Daily NET, June 21,2020. Accessed June 30 2020. http://npc.people.com.cn/n1/2020/0621/c14576-31754045.html.; “NPCSC Releases Some Details of Draft Hong Kong National Security Law, But Withholds Information on Criminal Provisions.” NPC Observer-Covering the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee-. Accessed June 30 2020. https://npcobserver.com/2020/06/20/npcsc-releases-some-details-of-the-draft-hong-kong-national-security-law-but-withholds-information-on-criminal-provisions/.

⁵ Sum Lok-kei and Gary Cheung. 2020. “National Security Law: Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam Vows to Hand-pick Judges for Cases Brought under New Legislation.” South China Morning Post, June 23. Accessed June 30 2020. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3090218/national-security-law-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-rejects.

⁶ Kurata,” Hong Kong Kiki no Shinsou”; Chan, “A Storm of Unprecedented Ferocity”; Chan “Xianggang Shehui Zhili”; Chen “Xianggang Shehui Zhili yu Zhengzhi Zhuangxing Mianlin de Tiaozhan”.

⁷ Hui, “Beijing’s Hard and Soft Repression in Hong Kong”; Endo “Beichu Bouekisensou no Uragawa”; Kwong “Political Repression in a Sub-national Hybrid Regime”.

⁸ Yep “Negotiation Autonomy in Greater China”; Hiroe “Hong Kong Kihonhou Kaishakuken no Kenkyu”.

⁹ Young and Ghai “Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal”; Hiroe “Hong Kong ni okeru Houchi, Houseido oyobi Saiban Seido”.

¹⁰ Zhu “Beijing’s ‘Rule of Law’ Strategy for Governing Hong Kong”.

¹¹ Michael Forsythe Michael, 2017. “Independent Judiciary, and Reformers Wince.” The New York Times, January 18 2017.Accessed August 4 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/world/asia/china-chief-justice-courts-zhou-qiang.html

¹² Wang “Tying the Autocrat’s Hands”: 2.

¹³ Xinhua, “Full Text: White Paper on Judicial Reform in China,” China Daily, October 9 2012. Accessed August 11,2020. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-10/09/content_15803827_3.htm.

¹⁴ “Zhongguo Gongchandang Dishibajie Zhongyang Weiyuanhui Disanci Quanti Huiyi Gongbao,” [Gazette of the Third Plenary Session of the 18^th Central Committee of China], Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Zhongyang Renmin Zhengfu, November 12 2013. Accessed October 18, 2020. http://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2013-11/12/content_2525960.htm.

¹⁵ Ibid.

¹⁶ World Justice Project. “Civil Justice (Factor 7).” World Justice Project. Accessed August 5 2020. https://worldjusticeproject.org/our-work/wjp-rule-law-index/wjp-rule-law-index-2017%E2%80%932018/factors-rule-law/civil-justice-factor-7.

¹⁷ “Zhonggong Zhongyang Guanyu Quanmian Tuijin Yifa Zhiguo Ruogan Zhongda Wenti de Jueding,” [Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Major Issues Pertaining to Comprehensively Promoting the “Rule of Law”], CPC News NET, October 29 2014. Accessed October 18 2020. http://cpc.people.com.cn/n/2014/1029/c64387-25927606.html.

¹⁸ Guide cases can be checked at “Cases in Chinese Courts,” chinacourt.org. Accessed August 13 2020. https://www.chinacourt.org/article/subjectdetail/type/more/id/MzAwNEiqNACSYAAA.shtml.

¹⁹ Wang and Minzer, “The Rise of the Chinese Security State”.

²⁰ “Zhonggong ZHongyang Guanyu Quanmian Shenghua Gaige Ruogan Zhongda Wenti de Jueding,” [The Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Some Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening the Reform], The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China NET, November 15 2013. Accessed November 27 2020.http://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2013-11/15/content_2528179.htm.

²¹ “Xi Jinping: Jianchi Zongti Guojia Anquanguan Zou Zhongguo Tese Guojia Anquan Daolu,” [Xi Jinping: Hold the Overall National Security Outlook, Go to the National Security Road with Chinese Characteristics], CPC News NET, April 16 2014. Accessed November 27 2020. http://cpc.people.com.cn/n/2014/0416/c64094-24900492.html.

²² Svolik, “The Politics of Authoritarian Rule.”

²³ Kurata, “Chugoku Henkango no Hong Kong”: 251–252.

²⁴ Kamo, “Naze Hong Kong Anzenho wo Rippou Surunoka”.

²⁵ “Han Zheng Tingqu Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu Xingzheng Changguan Lin Zheng Yuee Dui Tequ Weihu Guojia Anquan Lifa Wenti de Yijian,” [Han Zheng Listening to the Opinion of Carri Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong about the Problem of Hong Kong’s National Security Law,] Xinhua NET, June 3 2020. Accessed August 17 2020. http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/leaders/2020-06/03/c_1126070383.htm.

²⁶ Ibid.

²⁷ Gary Cheung, “From Deng Xiaoping to Geoffrey Ma: Key movers and shakers on Hong Kong’s Basic Law,” South China Morning Post, September 16 2015. Accessed August 21 2020. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1858740/deng-xiaoping-geoffrey-ma-key-movers-and-shakers-hong-kongs.

²⁸ “Wen Jiabao Qiangdiao: Zhongyang Hui Yange Anzhao Xianggang Jibenfa Guiding Banshi,” [Wen Jiabao Stressed: Central Government Should Strictly Refer to Basic Law of Hong Kong,] China NET, March 14 2015. Accessed August 21.2020. http://www.china.com.cn/zhuanti2005/txt/2005-03/14/content_5810544.htm; “Wen Jiabao Huijian Zeng Yi quan,” [Wen Jiabao Meet Tsang Yam-Kuen.] Guangming Daily, December 29 2006. Accessed August 21,2020. https://epaper.gmw.cn/gmrb/html/2011-12/27/nw.D110000gmrb_20111227_4-02.htm?div=−1.

²⁹ “Wen Jiabao Zai Shijie Renda Wuci Huiyi Jizhe Zhaodaihui Shang Dawen Neirong,” [Wen Jiabao’s Answer for a Press Conference at the National People’s Congress,] China News Net, March 16 2007. Accessed August 17,2020. http://www.chinanews.com/gn/news/2007/03-16/893627.shtml.

³⁰ “Wu Bangguo Zai Jinian Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu Jibenfa Shishi Shizhounian Zuotanshang de Jianghua,” [Wu Bangguo’s Speech at 10^th Anniversary of Basic Law of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,] Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Accessed August 21 2020. https://www.hmo.gov.cn/xwzx/zwyw/201711/t20171107_605.html.

³¹ Colleen Lee, “Xi Jinping backs Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying in Beijing.” South China Morning Post, December 21 2012. Accessed August 21 2020. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1109441/xi-jinping-backs-hong-kong-chief-executive-leung-chun-ying-beijing; “Xi Jinping Huijian Liang Zhenying,” [Xi Jinping met Leung Chun-ying,] Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Accessed August 21,2020. https://www.hmo.gov.cn/xwzx/zwyw/201711/t20171107_738.html.

³² “Zhonglianban Zhuren: Zhongyang Dui Gnang Zhengce Bu Cunzai Shoujin Bu Shoujin,“ [Director of Hong Kong Liaison Office: There is No Tightening of the Central Government’s Policy Toward Hong Kong,] Youth.cn NET, January 10 2013. Accessed August 21,2020. http://news.youth.cn/jsxw/201301/t20130110_2795587.htm.

³³ “Xi Jinping: Zhongguo Gongchandang Ren de Chuxin he Shiming Jiushi Wei Zhongguorenmin Mou Xinfu Wei Zhonghua Minzu Mou Fuxing”, [Xi Jinping: To Seek the Happiness of the Chinese People is the Mission of the Communist Party of China,] Gongchangdangyuan NET, October 18 2017. Accessed August 22 2020. http://www.12371.cn/2017/10/18/ARTI1508294035259919.shtml; “Zhonglianban Zhuren: Xianggang Shi Zhongguo Meng De Zhongyao Yuansu,” [Director of Hong Kong Liaison Office: Hong Kong is the Most Important Element for Realizing China Dream,] China News NET, February 22 2013. Accessed August 22 2020. http://www.chinanews.com/shipin/cnstv/2013/02-22/news176759.shtml.

³⁴ “Xi Jinping Huijian Liang Zhenying,” [Xi Jinping met Leung Chun-ying,] People’s Daily Net, December 21 2012. Accessed August 22 2020. http://cpc.people.com.cn/n/2012/1221/c64094-19967392.html.

³⁵ Chun Han Wong and Jeremy Page. “For China’s Xi, the Hong Kong Crisis Is Personal.” Wall Street Journal, September 27 2019. Accessed August 22 2020. https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-chinas-xi-the-hong-kong-crisis-is-personal-11569613304.

³⁶ The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. “Full Text of the Constitution and the Basic Law.” The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Accessed June 29 2020. https://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/chapter_1.html.

³⁷ Ibid.

³⁸ Ibid.

³⁹ “Zhang Xiaoming Jiedu Gang Ao Gongzuo Zhongdian,” [Zhang Xiaoming Explained the Significant Point of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs,] People’s Daily NET, November 23 2020. Accessed August 22 2020. http://hm.people.com.cn/n/2012/1123/c42272-19677066.html.

⁴⁰ “Xi Jinping Huijian Liang Zhenying,” [Xi Jinping met Leung Chun-ying,] China News NET, November 9 2014. Accessed August 24 2020. http://www.chinanews.com/ga/2014/11-09/6763899.shtml.

⁴¹ “Jianding Guanqie ‘Sange Jianding Buyi’,” [Resolutely Implement “Three Unwavering”,] People’s Daily NET, October 2 2014. Accessed October 21 2020. http://opinion.people.com.cn/n/2014/1002/c1003-25772358.html.

⁴² “Gov’t Introduces Anti-Mask Law.” Government News NET, October 4 2019. Accessed August 24 2020. https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2019/10/20191004/20191004_165505_551.html.

⁴³ “Jinzhi Mengmian, Zhibao Zhiluan,” [Forbid Wearing Mask and Stop Violence,] People’s Daily, October 5 2019. Accessed August 24 2020.

⁴⁴ “Chuou ha Hongkong ga Konnan ni Uchikacu no wo Sasaeru Mottomo Kyokouna Tate” [The Central Government is the Strongest Backing for Hong Kong to Overcome Difficulties] Renminwang (Japanese Edition), November 20 2019. Accessed August 24 2020. http://j.people.com.cn/n3/2019/1120/c94474-9633938-2.html; “Hongkong Kousai no 18nichi no Hanketsu ni Zenjindai Jiaomu Iinkai Housei Katsudou Iinkai ga Danwa” [Comment on the Judgment of High Court of Hong Kong], Renminwang (Japanese Edition), November 19 2019. Accessed August 24 2020. http://j.people.com.cn/n3/2019/1119/c94474-9633673.html.

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Naito Hiroko

Hiroko Naito is Researcher at East Asian Studies Group, Area Studies Center, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization. She received her PhD from Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance. She was a visiting fellow of Harvard- Yenching Institute from 2014 to 2016. Her area of expertise includes Comparative Politics and Area Studies (Contemporary Chinese Politics). Her research focuses on the “rule of law” under the authoritarian regime, and especially examines the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership over the People’s Court which is a judicial branch in China. Her recent publication is Hiroko Naito and Macikenaite Vida eds., (2020) State Capacity Building in Contemporary Chinese Politics, Springer.