Date：June 29, 2017
MAC Press Release No. 46
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced an "Analysis Report: 20 Years After Hong Kong's Handover" on June 29. The report analyzed general comments by various parties on the 20 years since Hong Kong's handover. It found that mainland China has limited the development of democracy in Hong Kong and restricted the freedom and human rights of the Hong Kong people. The international community believes that this violates the pledge of " Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy." The MAC calls on Beijing authorities to honor its promises, respect the right of Hong Kong to be ruled by the people of Hong Kong, and respond positively to the demands of the people of Hong Kong for democracy and freedom.
The MAC stated that the government's consistent position has been to support democracy, freedom, stability, and prosperity in Hong Kong. Since its handover, Hong Kong has maintained the normal functioning of its political, economic and social systems. However, the progress of democratic universal suffrage in Hong Kong has stalled, freedom of the press has continued to deteriorate, judicial independence is challenged, Hong Kong residents face a threat to their personal safety when entering the Mainland, and the integration of the Mainland and Hong Kong economies has increased economic risk in Hong Kong. The international community has cited multiple specific related examples as evidence and expressed deep concerns and doubts over Hong Kong's future.
The MAC stressed that freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law are universal values jointly cherished by Taiwan and Hong Kong. Views on these values form the greatest divide between the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong and mainland China. Beijing authorities should face up to and respond to the Hong Kong people's pursuit of democratic system and values and honor its pledges to Hong Kong. This is the only way that Hong Kong can steadily and prosperously develop, mutual understanding and shared values can exist between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and the opportunity for sincere and benign cross-Strait interaction can be realized.