Taipei, June 29 (CNA) The Beijing regime should face up to and respond to Hong Kong people's cries for democratic institutions and values and commit to its promise to Hong Kong's people, so that this China's special administration region can develop and prosper, an Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) official said on Thursday.
Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy head and spokesman of the MAC, made the remarks on Thursday, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China on June 30, 1997.
Xi Jinping, mainland China's president, is in the former British colony on Thursday to attend the ceremonies.
In the past 20 years, the political and social institutions in Hong Kong have run normally, but five challenges and concerns emerged, said Chiu.
The challenges include: universal suffrage in the election of Hong Kong's chief executive being stalled, press freedom deteriorating, judicial independence being challenged, the personal safety of Hong Kong residents in mainland China coming under threat, and the economic convergence of Hong Kong and mainland China raising Hong Kong's economic risks, said Chiu.
He added that the international community is paying close attention to Hong Kong and showing concern for its future as a result of these challenges.
Democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law are universal values cherished by people in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and it's how one sees those values that sets people in Taiwan and Hong Kong far apart from the Beijing regime, Chiu said.
Regarding Hong Kong people's pursuit of democracy, the MAC has expressed hope that all sectors in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong administration and Beijing regime could seek a consensus in a rational and peaceful way, said Chiu.
