THE “ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS” PRINCIPLE What does “one country, two systems” mean? It means that after 1997, the socialist system and policies shall not be practised in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years. This principle was not a compromise solution reached in the Sino-British negotiations for political expedience.
It was not even an idea floated by the British side. It was in fact a paramount guiding principle adopted by the Chinese Government for advancing the unification of China. The principle was also the outcome of intense research by the Chinese Government on what factors contributed to the economic success and stability of Hong Kong and how they could be preserved beyond 1997.