Deng Chundong, Dean and Party Committee Secretary, Attends and Delivers a Speech at the Seminar "Opposing Hong Kong and Taiwan Independence, Advancing the Complete Reunification of the Motherland"

An academic symposium themed "Opposing 'Hong Kong Independence' and 'Taiwan Independence' and Advancing the Complete Reunification of the Motherland" was recently held at Shenzhen University. The event was co-hosted by the Institute of Marxism Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Shenzhen University, and organized by the Institute of Contemporary Chinese Thought and Culture of Shenzhen University, the School of Marxism, the Department of Social Sciences, and the project team of the National Social Science Fund Major Project, "Analysis of Social Trends in Hong Kong and Countermeasures for Effective Guidance."

Leaders, experts, and scholars attending this symposium included: Professor Deng Chundong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS; Professor Liu Hongyi, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen University; Professor Luo Yanming, former Director of the Department of Diplomacy and the History of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan at the Institute of Contemporary China Studies, CASS; Professor Zhao Zhikui, former Director of the Department of Sinicization of Marxism and Chief Expert of the Knowledge Innovation Program at the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS; Professor Gong Yun, Chief Expert of the Knowledge Innovation Program at the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS; Cao Jianwen, Editor-in-Chief and Director of the Theory Department of Guangming Daily; Yin Xuanbo, Managing Editor at Xinhua Digest; Zhang Jiangang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the journal Marxist Studies; Professor Zhong Minghua from the School of Marxism at Sun Yat-sen University; Professor Chen Jinlong, Dean of the School of Marxism at South China Normal University and Changjiang Scholar ^[1] Distinguished Professor of the Ministry of Education; Professor Liu Shexin, Dean of the School of Marxism at South China University of Technology; Professor Wang Weili, Vice President of the Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences; Yang Jian, Director of the Theory Division of the Publicity Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee; Professor Tian Qibo, Director of the Social Sciences Division of Shenzhen University; Professor Zou Pingxue, Director of the Center for Hong Kong and Macao Basic Law Studies at Shenzhen University, and Deputy Director Professor Zhang Dinghuai; Professor Dong Shifeng, Director and Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Editorial Department of the Journal of Shenzhen University; Wang Hong, Party Committee Secretary of the School of Marxism (School of Social Sciences) at Shenzhen University; Professor Fu Heming, Acting Dean of the School of Marxism (School of Social Sciences) at Shenzhen University; Professor Wang Shuangyin, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism (School of Social Sciences) and Director of the Institute of Contemporary Chinese Thought and Culture; Professor Xu Haibo of the School of Marxism (School of Social Sciences); and Associate Professor Bao Yi, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism (School of Social Sciences). Additionally, experts and scholars from other universities and research institutions nationwide, members of the National Social Science Fund Major Project team, faculty and students from the Shenzhen University School of Marxism, and journalists from media outlets such as Chinese Social Sciences Today and Shenzhen Special Zone Daily also attended the symposium.

Deng Chundong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Institute of Marxism Studies at CASS, pointed out that achieving the complete reunification of the motherland is the fundamental goal of implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and conducting work related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. Achieving this goal relies on patriotic forces, a clear-cut opposition to separatist activities, and a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the profound connotations of "One Country, Two Systems." Based on a correct understanding of Taiwan’s society and the propositions and attitudes of its existing political forces, Deng Chundong proposed three major measures for the struggle against "Taiwan independence": first, to wage a tit-for-tat struggle against the separatist activities launched by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities and related forces who stubbornly cling to the "Taiwan independence" position; second, to treat the Kuomintang and the Taiwanese public with differentiation, offering clear-cut support and encouragement to those who favor the reunification of the motherland, especially those who have been vocally advocating and working toward reunification; third, to take necessary measures to actively and proactively carry out the struggle against "Taiwan independence" and separatism. In response to the various attitudes and behaviors of the Tsai Ing-wen authorities, we must launch a tit-for-tat and powerful counterattack, including the total blockade of their so-called "international space" and the cessation of economic and cultural exchanges with groups and individuals participating in "Taiwan independence" activities, ensuring all separatist forces pay a price for their actions. On the Hong Kong issue, Deng Chundong proposed: the "One Country, Two Systems" policy must be accurately understood and fully implemented, and the national consciousness of Hong Kong people must be vigorously strengthened. He emphasized that "One Country" is the prerequisite; within "Two Systems," the practice of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a "high degree of autonomy" must be beneficial to "One Country." It is necessary to correctly understand and handle issues related to Hong Kong's political system regarding the source of power, the political structure, and the scope of democracy. Hong Kong should implement the requirements of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law ^[2] as soon as possible, and "Hong Kong independence" elements engaged in separatist activities must be sanctioned according to the law. Specific measures should be introduced promptly to strengthen national education and promote the "return of hearts" (人心回归) ^[3].

Liu Hongyi, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen University, argued that achieving the complete reunification of the country is an inherent requirement (题中之义) ^[4] for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the realization of the Chinese Dream. Since Hong Kong’s return, the "One Country, Two Systems" policy has been fully implemented, Hong Kong has remained prosperous, and the country has achieved rapid development. Realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation inevitably requires the complete reunification of the motherland. He called upon intellectuals and researchers in the philosophy and social sciences to profoundly study the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s speeches on the Chinese Dream, seek truth from facts in viewing the conflicts and contradictions currently arising in the practice of "One Country, Two Systems," and offer advice and suggestions to better implement the basic state policy of "One Country, Two Systems" and promote Hong Kong's prosperity and development.

Professor Luo Yanming, former Director of the Department of Diplomacy and the History of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan at the Institute of Contemporary China Studies, CASS, explained the specific practical effects of "One Country, Two Systems" from the perspective of economic development, proving the correctness of this basic state policy. He pointed out that "One Country, Two Systems" enabled Hong Kong to achieve a smooth transition and maintain prosperity, marking a tremendous success. Furthermore, Professor Luo provided an in-depth analysis of the challenges encountered in the 20 years since Hong Kong’s return and proposed developmental trends for Hong Kong over the next 30 years.

Professor Zhao Zhikui, former Director of the Department of Sinicization of Marxism and Chief Expert of the Knowledge Innovation Program at the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS, stated that "One Country, Two Systems" has been, is, and will continue to be the "stabilizing sea needle" (定海神针) ^[5] for maintaining national unity. He pointed out that "One Country, Two Systems" is a direct inheritance and creative development of the Marxist theory of the state, and a brilliant example of combining the universal principles of Marxism with contemporary Chinese social practice under new historical conditions. Regarding opposition to "Hong Kong independence," he proposed that decolonization is an inherent requirement; it is necessary to provide national citizenship education to Hong Kong youth to enhance their sense of belonging to the People's Republic of China.

Professor Gong Yun, Director of the Marxist Atheism Research Office and Chief Expert of the Knowledge Innovation Program at the Institute of Marxism Studies, CASS, proceeded from the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to suggest that the deep-seated reasons for the emergence of "Hong Kong independence" and "Taiwan independence" must be excavated. He emphasized the need to profoundly summarize the implementation experience of "One Country, Two Systems" and pointed out the importance of enhancing national identity and party-political identity among the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan.

In addition, experts and scholars from universities and research institutions nationwide—including Professor Zhong Minghua, Professor Chen Jinlong, Professor Liu Shexin, Professor Wang Weili, Director Yang Jian, Professor Tian Qibo, Professor Zou Pingxue, Professor Zhang Dinghuai, Professor Fu Heming, Professor Wang Shuangyin, Professor Xu Haibo, and Associate Professor Bao Yi—conducted extensive and in-depth discussions on topics such as the theoretical significance and grand practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong and Macao, the causes and harms of "Hong Kong independence" and "Taiwan independence," and countermeasures to curb these separatist movements. This symposium will play its due role in powerfully striking back against the trends and forces of "Hong Kong independence" and "Taiwan independence," maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, advancing the complete reunification of the motherland, and collectively building the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.