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A CNN interview with President Jiang Zemin

Page 2

May 9, 1997
Web posted at: 12:48 p.m. EDT (1648 GMT)

KOPPEL: Mr. President I was just down in Tiananmen square yesterday, and I was looking at the big clock. The countdown is now just 50 days before Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty. We've heard time and again how Hong Kong will be governed according to a one country two systems formula. But there are those who say that it's actually going to be more like one country one system. And I was wondering Mr. President if you could offer an example or two of a political liberty that the people of Hong Kong will enjoy after July 1st, that would not be allowed here on the mainland.

JIANG: On the 1st of July the Chinese government will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. This is a creative way of resolving a question left over from the past between China and the United Kingdom, according to the idea of one country two systems initiated by Comrade Deng Xiaoping. Some people may have some concerns about Hong Kong's return. But the facts will prove that such concerns are unnecessary. We have promulgated the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. After Hong Kong returns to China, the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the Hong Kong residents will be protected according to Hong Kong law. So long as there is no external interference, we are convinced that the policy of one country two systems, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong, and Hong Kong enjoying a high degree of autonomy, will surely be successfully implemented.

KOPPEL: You are the most powerful man in China. There are millions of people watching you now. What kind of reassurance can you give the people of Hong Kong other than, in addition to saying they don't need to worry. Can you give them an example of some liberty that will not change after July 1st?

JIANG: I think I should say something about Hong Kong's legal system. The National People's Congress of China has authorized the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to exercise a high degree of autonomy and to be vested with the executive, legislative, and independent judicial power, including the power of final adjudication, that it has never enjoyed before, according to the provisions of the Basic Law of Hong Kong's Special Administrative Region. Except for the changes arising from the establishment of the court of final appeal, the judicial system as originally practiced in Hong Kong will be retained. And maybe a question of your interest is the management of the media in Hong Kong. That matter will fall under the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. And we trust that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will definitely manage it well.

I wish to add, as you said I am the most powerful man in China. I think thats because I am the President of the country and also the chairman of the Central Military Commision of China. But I wish to emphasize that in the administration of Hong Kong, no matter how powerful I am, I will act according to the Basic Law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Not only I myself will observe the law, but also I hope all Hong Kong residents, and the entire 1.2 billion Chinese people will observe the Basic Law. Secondly, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region I believe will govern Hong Kong according to the laws of Hong Kong. Even myself, when I go to Hong Kong, I must abide by the laws of Hong Kong. So I want to make it very clear.

KOPPEL: Have you decided yet where you are going to spend midnight of July 30th? Will you be here on the mainland or are you going to Hong Kong sir?

JIANG: I think this is a question of great interest to the media recently, and there is a good reason. I believe that on that day, Chinese leaders will go to Hong Kong.

KOPPEL: One question that a lot of people have on their minds and certainly after July 1st they'll be thinking a lot about is when will Taiwan be reunited with mainland China. Do you have a date in mind, Mr. President?

JIANG: The Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the great cause of re-unification. It is also the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-US relations. If the Taiwan question is not handled properly, Sino-US relations will experience twists and turns, and it will be difficult to enjoy healthy and stable growth. The three Sino-US joint communiques constitute the cornerstone of Sino-US relations, the core issue beingI the Taiwan question.

In the communique the US side has recognized that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government of China. The US side has also committed itself to pursuing a one-China policy. I hope that the US Government will handle the Taiwan question cautiously, and prevent this question from disturbing and affecting the improvement and growth of Sino- US relations. Regarding your question of when Taiwan and the mainland will be reunified, I can tell you that with the successive resolution of the questions of Hong Kong and Macau, I believe that Taiwan and the mainland will be re-unified. But the question of Taiwan on the one hand and the questions of Hong Kong and Macau belong to different categories. Because the questions of Hong Kong and Macau are questions left over from the past between China and foreign countries, while the Taiwan question is a question left over from the civil war of China. Here I just want to say that I'm fully confident that eventually Taiwan will be reunified with the motherland.

KOPPEL: Mr. President another very important relationship for the mainland is that with North Korea. As you know there has been a food crisis going on in North Korea for some time now. Has Beijing, has your leadership offered the North Koreans any advice as to how they can work through this crisis and maintain peace?

JIANG: North Korea is a close neighbor of China, we traditionally have enjoyed a close friendship. There is no doubt that we have a strong interest in the stability on the Korean Peninsula. At present they are facing difficulties with grain. We can assist them within our own capabilities. But with regard to the question of how the DPRK as a country should be run, it is our consistent principle that we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. So no comment on this point.

I wish to add that we will always play a positive role in promoting stability on the Korean Peninsula.

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