The Implementation of the"One Country, Two Systems" Policy in Hong Kong: A Survey of Public Opinion

Abstract

This study examines the basic attitudes that the Hong Kong public has towards the implementation of the ”one country, two systems” policy in Hong Kong after its return to the People`s Republic of China (PRC). Based on the results of a telephone survey, the study finds that, contrary to the general pessimism about the ”one country, two systems”plan prevalent before the handover the majority of Hong Kong residents now maintain a moderate and positive attitude towards the overall performances of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Chinese government. Hong Kong`s economy has been severely affected by the Asian financial crisis, however causing increasing public dissatisfaction with the SAR government. As the Hong Kong government is not democratically elected, its political legitimacy comes mainly from its effective management of Hong Kong; if the economy and people`s livelihood continue to deteriorate, general dissatisfaction with the SAR government will surely increase and both the legitimacy of the SAR government and the future of the ”one country, two systems” policy could be severely challenged.