That agreement guaranteed Hong Kong’s way of life for 50 years under Deng Xiaoping’s slogan “One country, two systems.” The rule of law and the freedoms associated with pluralism – due process and the freedom of speech, assembly, and worship – were to remain the bedrock of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
伦敦—17年前的7月1日，我登上了英国皇家游艇离开香港。前一天午夜，中国根据被称为中英联合声明（Joint Declaration）的国际协定（在联合国制定）收回香港主权。该协定保证香港将在邓小平的“一国两制”方针下保持50年不变。法治精神以及多元主义自由精神——程序正义以及言论、集会和信仰自由——将继续充当香港繁荣与稳定的基础。