Our Home, Together with Our Country
Hello, super students! Welcome to your study notes for a very important chapter. We're going to learn all about our amazing home, Hong Kong, and its special connection with our country, the People's Republic of China. It's like learning the rules of a big, exciting team game where we are all players! Understanding this helps us know how our city works and how we can be great citizens. Let's begin!
Section 1: Our Special Connection: "One Country, Two Systems"
This might sound like a big idea, but it's actually quite simple. Don't worry, we'll break it down together!
What is "One Country, Two Systems"?
Imagine a very big family living in a huge house. This big family is our country, China. Now, imagine one room in that house is for Hong Kong. Hong Kong is part of the family (that's the "One Country" part), but inside its room, it has some of its own special rules and ways of doing things (that's the "Two Systems" part).
One Country: This means Hong Kong is and has always been an inseparable part of our country, the People's Republic of China.
Two Systems: This means that while the main part of China uses a socialist system, Hong Kong gets to keep its own capitalist system and way of life. This special arrangement was set up to last for 50 years from 1997.
The Story of Hong Kong's Return
On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong returned to our country. This was a very important day! From that day on, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was created. An "administrative region" is just a fancy way of saying a special area with its own local government.
The Most Important Laws: Constitution and Basic Law
Every country and city needs rules to keep things fair and safe. For us, the two most important rulebooks are the Constitution and the Basic Law.
Think of it like this:
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China is the "Parent Law". It's the biggest and most powerful rulebook for the entire country, including Hong Kong.
The Basic Law of the HKSAR is like the "Child Law" for Hong Kong. It's our own special rulebook, and it gets its power from the "Parent Law" (the Constitution). The Basic Law protects our "Two Systems" way of life.
Quick Review!
Parent Law = The Constitution (for all of China)
Child Law = The Basic Law (special for Hong Kong)
The Basic Law must follow the Constitution!
What does the Basic Law promise?
The Basic Law sets out some very important ideas:
"Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and "Patriots administering Hong Kong": This means the governance of Hong Kong is carried out by Hong Kong people who are patriots—people who love our country and our city.
A high degree of autonomy: This means Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy authorised by the Central Authorities in accordance with the Basic Law, making decisions about matters like its economy and education.
Key Takeaway
Hong Kong is a special part of China. The principle of "One Country, Two Systems" allows us to have our own way of life, which is protected by our special rulebook, the Basic Law, under the Constitution.
Section 2: Being a Good Citizen of Hong Kong
Being part of a community means we all have a role to play. Let's learn about our rights and the important duties we have as citizens.
Our Rights and Responsibilities
Think of rights and responsibilities like a see-saw. They need to be balanced!
Rights are the freedoms and protections that the Basic Law gives us. For example:
The right to vote for people to represent us.
Freedom of speech, which means we can share our ideas.
Responsibilities are the duties we have to our community and country. For example:
The duty to obey the law.
The duty to respect other people.
When we grow up, the duty to pay taxes to help run the city.
Having a Say: Elections
An election is a process where citizens vote to choose people to help run the government. When we are old enough to vote, participating in elections is a very important commitment we make to our society and our country. It's our way of helping to build a better future.
Why Following the Law is Super Important
Having law and order means our city is safe, fair, and organised. Imagine if there were no traffic lights—it would be chaos!
Laws are rules that everyone must follow to keep us safe. For example, laws about food safety make sure the snacks we eat are clean.
The rule of law is a very important idea. It means that NO ONE is above the law. Everyone, from a student to the city's leader, must follow the same rules. This makes our society fair for all.
Key Takeaway
As good citizens, we enjoy many rights, but we also have responsibilities. The most important one is to obey the law, because the rule of law keeps our home safe, orderly, and fair for everyone.
Section 3: Our Government and Keeping Everyone Safe
Who runs our city and makes sure we are safe? Let's find out about our government and the most important job it has: protecting us!
Who Helps Run Hong Kong?
The HKSAR Government and different district organisations work hard every day for us. Their work is connected to our lives in so many ways!
Think about your day: The clean water you drink, the bus you take to school, the library where you borrow books—these are all services managed by the government and its partners.
What is National Security?
This is a big topic, but the idea is simple. Just like we lock our front door to keep our family and home safe from danger, a country needs to protect itself from big threats. This is called national security.
We understand national security through a Holistic View of National Security. This means protecting our country in many different areas, including:
Homeland security (keeping our borders and people safe)
Economic and resource security (protecting our food, water, and financial systems)
Cyber and technological security (keeping computer networks and information safe)
Ecological and cultural security (protecting our natural environment and cultural heritage)
Laws Safeguarding National Security
To protect our country and Hong Kong, strong legal protections are in place:
The National Security Law: Promulgated in 2020 by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and applied in Hong Kong to maintain stability and protect "One Country, Two Systems".
The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance: Enacted locally by the HKSAR in 2024 to fulfil Hong Kong's constitutional duty under Article 23 of the Basic Law.
How does it work in Hong Kong? Together, these laws form a complete legal framework. The HKSAR Government has the duty to make sure these laws are followed, helping to keep our home peaceful and secure.
Did you know?
Safeguarding national security is the common duty of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong residents. The Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government work together to ensure the safety, stability, and prosperity of our country and city.
Key Takeaway
The HKSAR Government provides services for our daily lives. A vital part of its work is safeguarding national security through the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, ensuring our home remains safe and stable for everyone.