國務院白皮書除列出一國兩制、高度自治在中央眼中的定義外，部分內容更吹噓內地多年來如何「幫助」香港，除指出中央設立自由行振興本港經濟，又稱2003年支持香港對抗沙士，「為保障香港同胞生命安全，幫助香港經濟走出低迷，中央政府及時伸出援助之手。在內地同樣急需抗疫醫藥物資的情況下，中央政府無償向香港提供大批抗疫藥品和器材。國家領導人親赴香港疫情重災區和醫院視察慰問」，但報告隻字不提大陸隱瞞疫情，令沙士在北京和香港肆虐。
《紐約時報》針對白皮書發表評論文章，指當年中國政府是在無法再隱瞞下，才承認過分低估了中國境内的非典型肺炎個案，中國的延誤通知，使病情急速擴散，亦直接令香港未有及時做好相應的防疫措施，導致其後疾病在社區急速擴散。事實上，當年染病的廣東中山大學教授來港，導致沙士傳入香港，造成299人死亡，疫戰持續足足三個月。
《紐約時報》相關報道：
http://nyti.ms/1l3MoKL
Despite Critics, China Asserts Democratic Progress in Hong Kong
A week after roughly 100,000 people turned out in Hong Kong in a protest directed at China’s Communist leadership, Beijing has issueda ringing defense of its oversight of the territory, crediting the central government with everything from combating the SARS epidemic to promoting democratic reforms and ensuring Hong Kong’s economic success.
The “white paper” was issued just as pro-democracy elements in Hong Kong have been agitating for Beijing to finally allow universal suffrage, amid signs that the Communist Party leadership will continue to exert strong control over who gets chosen to run the territory’s government.
After the British handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, “Hong Kong got rid of colonial rule and returned to the embrace of the motherland, and embarked on the broad road of common development with the mainland, as they complemented each other’s advantages,” the paper says.
The paper emphasizes the economic vibrancy of the territory, citing a 3.4 percent average annual growth rate since the handover as the banking, trade and shipping industries have flourished. While far below China’s growth rate for that period, the territory has experienced sustained prosperity as it has benefited from China’s economic boom.
But on other fronts, the paper makes some questionable assertions, citing China’s handling of the 2003 SARS epidemic even though Beijing was roundly criticized for its response.
“The central government promptly lent a helping hand,” the report read. “Although the mainland also needed medical supplies in the fight against SARS, the central government provided a large quantity of free medical supplies to Hong Kong. The Chinese leaders also went to the hardest-hit areas and hospitals of Hong Kong to inspect local conditions and console victims.”
In fact, China was forced to admit that it had seriously underreported the number of SARS cases in the territory after the epidemic was detected, probably causing a delayed medical response as the deadly epidemic quickly spread.
The white paper was issued as pro-democracy groups gear up for a potentially contentious summer in Hong Kong, with some leaders threatening widespread protests if Beijing does not go far enough in assuring democratic changes. The high turnout at the June 4 vigil marking the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown was cited as evidence that anti-Beijing passions could fuel “Occupy Central” protests later in the year.
The chief complaint of the Occupy leaders is that Beijing only allows candidates loyal to its rule to run for election, a situation that, they say, is unlikely to change in the future.
The government’s white paper argues, conversely, that democracy has in fact taken deeper root under Beijing’s rule.
Beijing and the local government “have unswervingly and steadily promoted Hong Kong’s democratic political system, featuring the election methods for the chief executive and the Legislative Council,” the report said, adding that the election of the territory’s chief executive “has become increasingly democratic.”
國務院白皮書強調中央對香港有全面管治權，支聯會主席、工黨立法會議員李卓人表示，中央經常強調治權，但忘記一國兩制下，中央有責任尊重香港人的民意，而普選是基本法的承諾，「(港人)只係拎返應有的普選權，如果(中央)用咁強硬態度，以我為主，全面霸權，香港人唔服」。他指如港人不接受白皮書，不接受一切以北京意願為主，就要「行出來」，參與本月14日起的毅行爭普選活動。
李卓人認為，中央發表此白皮書，目的是要打壓香港人爭普選的意志，以中央意志為主，「佢想少啲人出來投票，少啲人出來七一遊行、佔中，但壓迫愈大，反抗愈大，香港人係唔受呢一套，你打壓唔到」。他強調，現在是「民意戰京意」，港人要行出來爭取應有權力，不可讓中央完全操控。
李卓人認為，中央發表此白皮書，目的是要打壓香港人爭普選的意志，以中央意志為主，「佢想少啲人出來投票，少啲人出來七一遊行、佔中，但壓迫愈大，反抗愈大，香港人係唔受呢一套，你打壓唔到」。他強調，現在是「民意戰京意」，港人要行出來爭取應有權力，不可讓中央完全操控。
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