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WHITE PAPER: HONG KONG PROGRESSING TOWARD DEMOCRACY FOR ALL P.14
VOL.64 NO.52 DECEMBER 30, 2021 WWW.BJREVIEW.COM
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Elections uphold the principle of Hong Kong patriots
governing Hong Kong
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JPY188 邮发代号2-922·国内统一刊号：CN11-1576/G2
CONTENTS
EDITOR’S DESK WHITE PAPER FEATURES
02 New Highlights for 14 Hong Kong: Democratic 42 Race for Net Zero
Hong Kong Progress Under the Environmental challenges, a key issue for the future
Framework of One Country,
44 Traditional Town, Trendy Taste
Two Systems
THIS WEEK The essence of a fine dish lies in its gastronomic history
Evolution manifests in dynamic
COVER STORY progress for all
10 A New Dawn for CULTURE
Democracy 46 Up and Atom!
OPINION
Legislative Council election Popular science short videos have netizens glued to
40 Shared Values of
marks historical milestone their screens
Humanity
Global community should
champion the democratic spirit FORUM
48 How Can We Effectively Rein in the Online Kid
Celebrity Biz?
Cover Photo: Staff empty a ballot box to
count the votes at a polling station for the
legislative election in Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region on December 19
(VISUAL PEOPLE)
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EDITOR’S DESK
New Highlights for Hong Kong
A News Weekly Magazine History is made by people. With con- Altogether, the election marks a
Published Since 1958 crete actions and votes, the people of fresh starting point for the Hong Kong
Hong Kong have jointly ushered in a SAR’s good governance.
President: Li Yafang
Editor in Chief: Li Jianguo new chapter in the history of China’s The LegCo election puts an end to
Associate President: Yan Ying Hong Kong Special Administrative the meaningless infighting that once
Content Director: Liu Yunyun Region (SAR), also known as the Pearl troubled the legislative body and fun-
Executive Editor: Yan Wei
of the Orient. damentally safeguards the region’s
Associate Executive Editors: Zan Jifang, Ding Ying As the votes for 90 members of stable political pulse and administrative
Production Director: Yao Bin
Editorial Administrators: Zeng Wenhui, Hou Beibei the seventh-term Legislative Council security, all in all creating a more har-
Assistant Executive Editor: Li Fangfang (LegCo), who hold different ideas, reli- monious social climate. Consequently,
Commentator: Lan Xinzhen
Editors: Wang Hairong, Li Nan gious beliefs, occupations and interests, economic and social policies can be
Editorial Consultant: Elsbeth van Paridon were cast and counted by December executed more effectively within the
Reporters: Tang Yuankai, Wang Jun, Pan Xiaoqiao, Yuan Yuan,
Ji Jing, Lu Yan, Wen Qing, Li Qing, Li Xiaoyang, Ma Miaomiao, 20, a brighter future for Hong Kong is special administrative region and
Zhang Shasha, Tao Xing, Tao Zihui
taking shape. ensure its sustained economic develop-
Visual Director: Pamela Tobey
Photo Editor: Wang Xiang This election, the first to occur un- ment and overall interests.
Photographer: Wei Yao
Art: Li Shigong
der the Hong Kong SAR’s improved Acting in the fundamental interests
Design Director: Wang Yajuan electoral system, has demonstrated the of the country and Hong Kong, the
Chief Designer: Cui Xiaodong
Designer: Zhao Boyu
true will of Hong Kong residents, and LegCo will strive to forge an enhanced
Proofreading: Ma Xin substantiated the diversity of Hong landscape of governance in Hong
Human Resources: Zhang Yajie Kong’s democracy and rule of law. Kong, benefiting all layers of society.
Legal Counsel: Yue Cheng
Reality already proves the new electoral There is every reason to believe the
North America Bureau
Chief: Yu Shujun system better befits Hong Kong’s concrete Pearl of the Orient will shine brighter
Tel/Fax: 1-201-792-0334 conditions. The varied backgrounds of the than ever before.
E-mail: yushujun@bjreview.com
Africa Bureau new LegCo members highlight the newfan- In the coming year, we hope society
Chief Correspondent: Ni Yanshuo gled electoral system’s broad representation, will absorb the lessons of challenges
Tel: 27-71-6132053
E-mail: casa201208@hotmail.com political inclusiveness, balanced participa- and cooperation alike from this year and
General Editorial Office tion, and fair competition. Furthermore, the realize which is the right direction for a
Tel: 86-10-68996252
newly initiated structure has left those op- shared future. We hope there will be less
Fax: 86-10-68326628
English Edition posing China and attempting to destabilize polarity and more harmony, fewer politi-
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Advertising Department
Hong Kong, as well as manipulation and cal infighting and greater consolidation.
Tel: 86-10-68995807 interference from the outside, with no room We wish all of you a very Happy
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2 BEIJING REVIEW DECEMBER 30, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com
THIS WEEK
XINHUA
OLYMPIC BANKNOTES
The People’s Bank of China issued 200 million sets of commemorative banknotes for the Olympic Winter Games
Beijing 2022 on December 21.
The set includes a polymer note and a paper note, both with a face value of 20 yuan ($3.14). The bills
respectively feature a figure skating pair and a freestyle skiing athlete on the obverse and a Winter Olympic venue
on the reverse.
http://www.bjreview.com DECEMBER 30, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 3
THIS WEEK SOCIETY
XINHUA
Outline for the Development of
Chinese Women (2011-20).
The gender gap in com-
pulsory education has been
eliminated, with the net enroll-
ment rate of primary school-
aged girls remaining above 99.9
percent for six consecutive years
since 2015, the same as that
among boys.
The presence of women in
the workforce has seen a steady
increase. There were 67.79 mil-
lion female employees in urban
work units last year, up 39.5
percent from 2010. Women cur-
rently account for 43.5 percent
of China’s total employment,
according to the report.
Although historic progress
has been made in promoting
gender equality and the all-
round development of women
Miss Mermaid over the past decade, the report
noted that the protection of
A contestant strikes an underwater pose during a mermaid contest in Sanya, Hainan Province, women’s rights and interests in
on December 21. Over 40 contestants participated in the competition which started that day. some fields still requires further
consolidation.
Observation Network China’s first regional atmospheric scales, Cao said. Commemorative
China’s meteorological authority
background monitoring station
was put into use in Beijing.
More advanced facilities
and monitoring networks will be
Coins
announced on December 20 Cao Xiaozhong, a senior created in the coming years to China’s central bank launched
that the country has established official with the administration, provide data support for China’s the issuance of a set of com-
its first greenhouse gas observa- attributed the establishment of fulfillment of its carbon peak and memorative coins on December
tion network after nearly 40 the network to China’s continu- carbon neutrality commitments, 27 in celebration of the upcom-
years of construction. ous participation in the Global by 2030 and 2060 respectively, ing New Year.
The announcement came Atmosphere Watch Programme Cao said. The set of three coins, all
after the China Meteorological of the World Meteorological legal tender, includes one gold,
Administration released its first
national greenhouse gas obser-
Organization. Women’s one silver and one two-color cop-
per alloy coins, the People’s Bank
The administration this year
vation network directory, which undertook a series of efforts Development of China said in a statement.
consists of 60 high-precision to help China reach its goal of The average life expectancy of The gold and silver coins,
observation stations covering carbon neutrality. In addition to Chinese women reached 80.88 with a denomination of 10
major critical climate areas in the the network, it has established years in 2020, up from 77.37 yuan ($1.57) and 3 yuan ($0.47),
country. a national greenhouse gas and years in 2010, according to the respectively, feature the national
Its observation elements con- carbon neutrality monitoring National Bureau of Statistics emblem on the obverse, accord-
tain seven types of greenhouse and evaluation center with (NBS) on December 21. ing to the central bank.
gases specified in the Kyoto branches across several prov- The social status of Chinese On their reverse, the coins
Protocol, including carbon diox- inces, as well as an evaluation women has gone up significantly are inscribed with the Chinese
ide, methane and nitrous oxide. system for the effectiveness of over the past decade, and their character fu , which represents
China is one of the first its carbon neutrality actions to sense of accomplishment, happi- happiness and good fortune,
countries in the world to carry accurately distinguish natural ness and security has increased decorated with multiple Chinese
out the background observation and manmade carbon fluxes on dramatically, read an NBS report traditional festive designs includ-
of greenhouse gases. In 1982, the global, regional and urban on the monitoring results of the ing plum blossoms and house
4 BEIJING REVIEW DECEMBER 30, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com
THIS WEEK
XINHUA
eaves, the statement further read. Administration, drugs for
The two-color copper alloy rare-disease prevention and
coin, with a denomination of 10 treatment have received priority
yuan, features the image of a in China’s review and approval
tiger with elements of traditional process for new medications.
Chinese paper-cutting patterns
and New Year prints, said the Protecting Black
central bank.
Soil
Rare-Disease Drugs China is deliberating a new law
to protect the fertile black soil
More than 60 rare-disease drugs in its northeastern provinces
have been approved for market- as part of the efforts to ensure
ing in China, over 40 of which the country’s food security and
are included in the national protect the ecosystem, Xinhua
medical insurance system, ac- News Agency reported on
Up to Snow Good
cording to official data. December 20.
China’s medicare reimburse- The draft law was submitted
ment list now covers medications for its first reading on
for 25 rare diseases, according Visitors take to the ice slide at an ice and snow art festival in Wuhan,
December 20 at an ongoing ses-
to figures released at a national Hubei Province, on December 21.
sion of the Standing Committee
conference on rare diseases in of the National People’s
Beijing on December 18. Congress.
Seven rare-disease drugs The black soil found in is in need of measures designed Government’s additional
have been added to the list in China’s northeastern provinces of to specifically protect the black injection of 400 million yuan
2021, bringing their price down Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning soil. ($62.86 million) compared
by about 65 percent on aver- and in some parts of the Inner with 2020, disabled persons’
age, Li Tao, an official with the
National Healthcare Security
Mongolia Autonomous Region, Rehabilitation federations across the country,
produces about one quarter of in cooperation with the relevant
Administration, said at the the country’s total grain output, Services departments, provided higher-
conference. making it key to China’s food China had offered rehabilitation standard assistance to more
Official data show there are supply. assistance to 332,000 children physically and mentally
about 20 million rare-disease But years of excessive with disabilities as of November impaired children, the CDPF said
patients in China, with more than reclamation have eroded its this year, nearly 50,000 more on December 15.
200,000 new patients added nutrients and the chernozem than the total of 2020, accord- The CDPF further entrusted
every year. layer is thinning, threatening the ing to a recent statement from third-party organizations to con-
According to Chen country’s ecological security and the China Disabled Persons’ duct satisfaction surveys among
Shifei, deputy head of the sustainable agricultural develop- Federation (CDPF). parents to boost the quality of
National Medical Products ment. Consequently the country With the Central assistance services.
XINHUA
Solstice Salutations
Children learn how to make dumplings in celebration of the Winter
Solstice or Dongzhi at their school in Wuan, Hebei Province, on
December 21. Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and one
of the 24 solar terms, falls on December 21 this year. In Chinese
culture, it marks the beginning of deep winter as well as a time for
family gatherings. North China has maintained the tradition of
feasting on dumplings on this day, whereas people in the south eat
tangyuan , or rice ball soup.
http://www.bjreview.com DECEMBER 30, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 5
THIS WEEK ECONOMY
A-Share Market due to the smooth operation
of the BSE, sci-tech innovation
witness significant increases in
economic strength, develop-
trillion yuan ($182 billion), 390
billion yuan ($61.1 billion) and
The number of enterprises listed board and the ChiNext board, ment vitality and international 230 billion yuan ($36 billion)
on the Chinese A-share market and more reform measures of the influence, and about 66 percent were respectively directed to the
through initial public offerings registration-based system, said a of its permanent residents are highway, railway, civil aviation
(IPOs) and the funds raised hit report released by international expected to be residing in urban and water transport sectors.
a record high this year, China consulting firm Deloitte. areas, the plan read. Government investment
Securities Journal reported on Covering about 185,000 in transportation also served
December 22, citing data from
financial information provider Development Plan square km, the circle takes up to support poverty alleviation
The Chengdu-Chongqing 1.9 percent of the country’s efforts, the coordinated develop-
Wind.
economic circle will boost 160 total land territory. In 2019, it ment of regional transportation,
As of the day, a total of 508
key projects in 2022, with a had a permanent population of and the fight against COVID-19,
companies were listed on the
combined investment of roughly around 96 million and a GDP of the ministry said.
A-share market, up 16 percent
2 trillion yuan ($313 billion), amid 6.3 trillion yuan ($988.4 billion),
from the annual figure in 2020.
They raised 527.3 billion yuan the country’s efforts to foster a accounting for 6.9 percent and PPP Projects
key growth powerhouse in the 6.3 percent of the national total, A total of 382 new public-private
($82.77 billion), an increase of 9.7
western region, local authorities respectively. partnership (PPP) projects were
percent compared with the total
of last year. said. registered in the first 11 months of
Over 70 percent of the IPOs The circle is another im- Transport Input the year, data from the National
were issued through the regis- portant regional development Governments at all levels invest- Development and Reform
tration-based system, with 386 strategy, following the Beijing- ed 7.5 trillion yuan ($1.2 trillion) in Commission showed.
firms listed on the Nasdaq-style Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze the transportation sector during Urban infrastructure saw
sci-tech innovation board, the River Delta and the Guangdong- the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016- 144 projects added during the
ChiNext board and the Beijing Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay 20) period, driving related fixed period, the largest increase
Stock Exchange (BSE), according Area. assets investment to more than 16 among all sectors, according to
to the report. In October, central au- trillion yuan ($2.5 trillion), accord- the commission.
The number of IPOs on the thorities issued a master plan for ing to the Ministry of Finance. Sectors including agricul-
Chinese A-share market is ex- developing the area. During the timespan, 5.69 ture, forestry, water conservancy,
pected to further increase in 2022 By 2025, the circle will trillion yuan ($892.7 billion), 1.16 social development, transport
NUMBERS
($1=6.38 yuan)
China’s Service Outsourcing Industry in January-November
(All changes are y.o.y.)
Service outsourcing contracts inked by Chinese firms Service outsourcing
executed contract value
Total value Executed contract value With the United States
Up 17%
147.9
Up 19.4% bln yuan
About 1.56 tln yuan 1.1 tln yuan With Belt and Road partners
124.1
Up 20.2% bln yuan Up 20.2%
Offshore service outsourcing contract value
Up 14.4% With the European Union
876 bln yuan 81.1
bln yuan Up 11.1%
6 BEIJING REVIEW DECEMBER 30, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com
THIS WEEK
and environmental protec- up 4.5 percent and 11.6 percent, is expected to be used by over final verification based on the
tion also reported many new respectively. 40 percent of personal mobile annual statistical data, fiscal
PPP projects in the January- By 2023, about 28 percent phone consumers, and every final accounts and departmental
November period. of commercial display manu- 10,000 people in China will administrative records.
PPPs act as collaborative facturers will have the ability to enjoy more than 18 5G base sta-
investment models between provide visual solutions in smart tions, the guideline concluded. Car Exports
the government and private scenarios due to accelerated Chinese auto companies export-
companies. integration between industries. GDP Revision ed 1.79 million cars during the
China’s GDP in 2020 was revised first 11 months of the year, more
Industry Forecast 5G Base Stations to 101.36 trillion yuan ($15.9 than double the figure from the
Shipments of China’s com- There are over 1.3 million 5G trillion), data from the final same period last year, the latest
mercial large screen sector are base stations in China, with the verification conducted by the industry data presented.
expected to grow 11.4 percent number of 5G users reaching National Bureau of Statistics Driven by robust outbound
year on year to 9.53 million in 497 million, Minister of Industry (NBS) showed on December 17. demand for new-energy vehicles,
2022, according to research firm and Information Technology The amount represents a auto exports surged 59.1 percent
International Data Corp. (IDC). Xiao Yaqing announced on reduction of 241.9 billion yuan year on year to 200,000 units
The total shipments of inter- December 20. ($37.9 billion) from the prelimi- in November alone, according
active whiteboard will reach 2.18 In 2022, the country will nary calculation. to the China Association of
million next year, up 17.8 percent further boost its information and At constant prices, the 2020 Automobile Manufacturers.
from a year ago. communication technologies GDP increased 2.2 percent year Exports of passenger cars
Advertising machines will and expand the coverage of 5G on year, down 0.1 percentage soared 71.2 percent from a year
see the largest growth of 33.9 services and gigabit fiber optic point from the preliminary calcu- ago to 170,000 units in the
percent thanks to increasing de- networks in stable and orderly lation, according to the NBS. month, while those of commer-
mand from the retailing industry manner, Xiao added. China’s annual GDP goes cial vehicles rose 13 percent year
that has seen rapid digital trans- China expects to see the through two sets of accounting on year to 30,000 units.
formation, the IDC data showed. number of 5G users exceed 560 in accordance with the current Exports of new-energy ve-
The firm expects next year’s million by 2023, according to a national economic accounting hicles skyrocketed 189.9 percent
commercial TV and splicing liq- guideline released in July. system. The preliminary calcula- from a year ago to 37,000 units
uid crystal display screen to tick By that time, the 5G network tion will be revised during a in November.
Outsourcing services by industry Executed contract value of outsourcing services
New-energy technologies Of private enterprises As of November
Up 89.4% 13.78 mln people
Up 30.4%
27.3%
179.6
bln yuan
Information technology of the
country’s total work in China’s service outsourcing industry
Up 78.8%
= 1 mln
Of foreign-funded enterprises In January-November, the industry added
870,000 jobs
Industrial design
Up 34% 284.1 Up 13.1% 43.2%
bln yuan
Up 1.6%
of the
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
country’s total = 100,000
Up 19.9%
(Source: Ministry of Commerce)
http://www.bjreview.com DECEMBER 30, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 7
THIS WEEK WORLD
XINHUA
MALAYSIA AUSTRIA
Locals clear up mud and debris Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the
after torrential rains resulted in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
severe floods in Hulu Langat of attends a press conference in Vienna
Selangor state on December 21. on December 17. He said the IAEA will soon
The total death toll stood at 27 reinstall surveillance cameras at Iran’s Karaj
as of December 23 nuclear facility under a new bilateral agreement
XINHUA
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
People enjoy the Light of Seoul show at Dongdaemun
Design Plaza, Seoul, on December 17
XINHUA
8 BEIJING REVIEW DECEMBER 30, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comTHIS WEEK
CHILE
President-elect Gabriel Boric Font addresses
the public in Santiago on December 19. The
35-year-old won the presidential race that
day, making him the youngest elected
president in Chilean history
XINHUA
XINHUA
QATAR
Paragliders crisscross the city skies
during a military parade marking
Qatar’s National Day celebration in
the capital of Doha on December 18
UNITED STATES
People wait in line for COVID-19
testing in New York City
on December 20. Omicron became
the most dominant variant in
the U.S. as holiday
gatherings commenced
XINHUA
http://www.bjreview.com DECEMBER 30, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 9Voters line up outside a polling station in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to cast their votes
for the Legislative Council (LegCo) on December 19
COVER STORY
A NEW DAWN FOR
DEMOCRACY
Fair and orderly election establishes a responsible legislature in Hong Kong
By Liang Xiao
10 BEIJING REVIEW DECEMBER 30, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comelected, marking an unprecedented
feat since the return of Hong
Kong to the motherland in 1997.
Conventional canvassing like
visits to voters and promotional
campaigns aside, the process
witnessed 144 forums, giving can-
didates a stage to show themselves
and further engage with the public.
According to a poll conducted
by Hong Kong-based think tank
the Bauhinia Institute, 36 percent
of voters primarily focused on the
candidates’ policy positions and
proposals, followed by their cam-
paign performance (29.3 percent),
political experience (16.8 percent),
political party background (10.8
percent) and public image (5.2
percent).
Representing different political
groups and factions, candidates
held different political ideas, some
of which rather far removed from
those of the current SAR govern-
ment in the eyes of Hong Kong
residents. Nevertheless, they got a
shot at nomination, election even,
under the principle of Hong Kong
patriots governing Hong Kong, the
final yea or nay resting with Hong
Kong citizens.
The diversity among the newly
XINHUA
elected legislators demonstrates
T
the broad representation and polit-
he Hong Kong Special Under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, ical inclusiveness of the improved
Administrative Region the main functions of the LegCo are to enact electoral system.
(SAR) concluded its sev- laws, examine and approve budgets, taxation and Take the 40 members elected
enth election of the Legislative public expenditure, and monitor the work of the by the Election Committee con-
Council (LegCo) on December government. It also has the power to endorse the stituency, for example. Among
20. Ninety elected lawmakers appointment and removal of the judges of the them, there are experienced vet-
from a total of 153 candidates, Court of Final Appeal and the chief judge of the erans who have previously served
with different backgrounds and High Court. as LegCo members and a couple
across the political spectrum, of new faces. Consisting of repre-
make up the first legislature On the upgrade sentatives of business, academia
established since the region’s The improved electoral model highlights fair- and the professions, as well as
electoral system was improved in ness and competition. LegCo membership has workers, employees and operators
March. The election is considered increased from 70 to 90, with 40 returned by the of small and medium-sized busi-
momentous in the development Election Committee, 30 by functional constituen- nesses from the primary level,
of democracy with Hong Kong cies, and 20 by geographical constituencies. All they are expected to balance the
characteristics. seats are contested and no one can be automatically overall interests of Hong Kong
s
s
http://www.bjreview.com DECEMBER 30, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 11with those of different sectors and Rule Britannia possessed the authority to appoint
districts. On December 20, denoting the big reveal of the and remove senior government of-
From a broader viewpoint, this LegCo results, China’s State Council Information ficials and judges.
LegCo election enables a group of Office issued a white paper entitled Hong Kong: Local Chinese were long ex-
highly capable patriots to partici- Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One cluded from the governing bodies
pate in the administration of Hong Country, Two Systems. This report reviews the and were denied participation in
Kong, with the council no longer history of the democratic system of the SAR and Hong Kong’s management, with
acting as the stumbling block to further clarifies Beijing’s position. calls for democratic reform in the
local development and the catalyst Though the UK claims that it has always been region repeatedly rejected by the
behind a wrecked relationship “supportive” of democracy in the region, the white UK.
between the Central Government paper clearly states there was no factual democracy Yet Britain suddenly reversed
and the SAR. in Hong Kong under British colonial rule. During its previous opposition to “demo-
Poised to function more ef- its 150-year-long rule, Hong Kong was governed cratic reform” when it was left
fectively, positive interactions by a governor on behalf of Britain, answering only in no doubt about the Chinese
between the LegCo and executive to the British Government and left entirely at its Government’s determination to
body can hopefully better realize command. His paramount powers and preroga- resume the exercise of sovereignty
policies to resolve deep-rooted tives in Hong Kong were free of any checks and over Hong Kong. In October
social issues, improve the people’s balances, and the governor could take charge of 1992, particularly, Chris Patten,
livelihood and promote sustain- “all things belonging to his said office.” He further the last British governor, imposed
able economic growth. assumed all executive and legislative powers and elements of a fake Western-style
XINHUA
Staff count votes for the LegCo in the Hong Kong SAR on December 19
12 BEIJING REVIEW DECEMBER 30, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comYou can also read
