Political Arrangements under “One Country, Two Systems”
The key points in this module
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the relationship between the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the
state organs on the one hand and The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of the People’s Republic of China (The Basic Law) on the other;
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the special arrangements applicable to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
under “one country, two systems”; and the
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selection of personnel for public offices
Relevant learning experiences in basic education
Through General Studies in primary education, students should have had the following learning
experiences with respect to ‘Political Arrangements under “One Country, Two Systems”’.
General Studies for Primary Schools Curriculum Guide (Primary 1 – Primary 6) (2002)
Key Stage 1 (P. 1 – 3)
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To know the importance of the Basic Law, rules and regulations to the life of Hong Kong
residents.
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To identify the regional symbols of the HKSAR.
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To show respect for the rights of others.
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To appreciate the need for fair rules and be willing to observe rules and regulations.
Key Stage 2 (P. 4 – 6)
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To understand the functions of and major services provided by the government and local
social institutions in response to the needs and interests of Hong Kong residents.
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To reflect on the balance between one’s rights and responsibilities in various settings through
different channels.
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To appreciate the importance of basic rights and observe duties in appropriate situations.
Examples of themes
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P. 2: HKSAR Establishment Day (origin of the HKSAR Establishment Day; activities for
celebrating the HKSAR Establishment Day; regional flag and emblem)
P. 3: Our society (the importance of the Basic Law in preserving our way of life; observing
law and order; being a good citizen)
P. 6: Political features of Hong Kong (Hong Kong as a special administrative region of China;
life in Hong Kong under the Basic Law; election and roles of the following in Hong Kong:
the Chief Executive, the Legislative Council, the Executive Council and district
organizations; work of the government and our daily life; rights and responsibilities of Hong
Kong residents)
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Personal, Social & Humanities Education Key Learning Area
The following learning objectives which are related to ‘Political Arrangements under the “One
Country, Two Systems”’ have been included in the strand of “Social System & Citizenship” in the
Personal, Social & Humanities Education Key Learning Area Curriculum Guide (Primary 1 –
Secondary 3) (2002):
S. 1 – S. 3
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To understand the importance of the principle of “one country, two systems” and the Basic
Law to the life of Hong Kong people.
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To understand the relationship of the National Constitution with the Hong Kong residents.
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To know the key features of local … political bodies.
To understand the causes and effects of some … political issues at local level …
To develop enquiry skills relating to public issues / civic affairs.
To develop civic competency in order to participate in local affairs.
To show respect for and uphold the rule of law.
To keep informed about current affairs, and be willing to contribute to resolving problems /
issues at local level …
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The learning objectives of this module
Through this module, students should be able to
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recognize the relationship between the Constitution of the PRC and the state organs (the
National People’s Congress, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the
Central People’s Government) on the one hand and the Basic Law on the other;
understand the special arrangements made for Hong Kong residents in the Basic Law under
“one country, two systems” (as compared to people from the mainland);
recognize the basic requirements for holding principal posts in local executive authorities,
the legislature, the judiciary and political groups, and to analyze the reasons for the
establishment of such requirements;
recognize the methods of selecting people for holding principal posts in local executive
authorities, the legislature, the judiciary and political groups, and to analyze the applicability
of such methods;
recognize concepts of sovereignty, power, constitution, state organs, “one country, two
systems”, division of powers, the rule of law, accountability, justice and equality; and
keep themselves informed about public affairs.
Learning activities
Suggested time allocation: 3-4 lessons (40 minutes each)
Lesson 1
Activity
Focus
Learning
& Teaching
materials
Student
Activity
Arouse
Presented with photos symbolizing “one country, two Photos
Respond
student
systems”, the students are encouraged to talk about their symbolizing to
motivation impression on the different roles played by our country “one
questions
and the HKSAR under “one country, two systems”.
country,
two
Photo 1: Well-wishers greeting Premier Wen Jiabao systems”
outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
where many people had gathered for the flag-raising
ceremony on July 1 at the Golden Bauhinia Square.
Photo 2: The HKSAR’s float at the National Day Parade
in Beijing.
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Activity
Focus
Learning
& Teaching
Student
Activity
materials
Photo 3: A marching display was part of the entertainment
for visitors during an Open Day held by the People’s
Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison on October 1.
Photo 4: Teams of young volunteers manned registration
booths during the voter registration campaign.
Photo 5: The National and Hong Kong SAR flags flutter
over the former French Mission Building, recently
renovated and refurbished as the HKSAR Court of Final
Appeal.
Photo 6: Clear signs and a multilingual army of
receptionists show World Trade Organization delegates
the way when they arrive at Hong Kong International
Airport.
Photo 7: Happy children at a National Day ceremony.
Photo 8: The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Ensemble
promotes the city’s culture at the Prague Municipal
House.
Introduce
the theme
and
related
concepts
­
Distribute Worksheet 1 to help students get in-depth Worksheet
knowledge of the relationship between the 1
Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and
the state organs on the one hand and the Basic Law
on the other.
­
During class analysis, the teacher introduces concepts
like sovereignty, power, constitution and state organs
with respect to the principle of “one country, two
systems”.
Reflection Ask the students to draw mind maps to illustrate the
and lesson relationship between the Basic Law and various state
conclusion organs.
4
Complete
the
worksheet
Draw
mind
maps
Lesson 2
Activities
Learning & Students’
Teaching
Activities
materials
Focus
Arouse
Play the Basic Law promotional videos from the
student
HKSAR
Basic
Law’s
official
website
motivation (http://www.info.gov.hk/basic_law/video/c-index.htm,
for example, HKSAR’s revenue shall not be handed over
to the Central People’s Government, Garrison
expenditure, Freedom to raise family) and have the
The Basic Respond to
Law
questions
promotional
videos put
on
the
website
students comment on the special arrangements made for
Hong Kong people under the principle of “one country,
two systems”.
Introduce
the theme
and
related
concepts
­
­
Distribute Worksheet 2, ask the students to find out Worksheet 2
Group
the articles relating to the special arrangements
made to Hong Kong under the Basic Law and study
the reasons behind them.
During class discussion, the teacher introduces the
arrangements of “high degree of autonomy” and
“previous capitalist system and way of life shall
discussion
and fill in
the
worksheet
remain unchanged for 50 years” under the principle
of “one country, two systems”
Reflection With the recent development of the mainland and Hong
and lesson Kong in mind, the students discuss whether the special
conclusion arrangements are still applicable and whether they are
reasonable as far as different groups of people (e.g.
residents of the mainland and Hong Kong residents) are
concerned.
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Group
discussions
Lesson 3
Activities
Arouse
motivation
Introduce
the theme
and
related
concepts
Focus
Learning &
Teaching
materials
­
Distribute Worksheet 3, ask the students to respond Worksheet 3
to question 1 and have them share their opinions
about whether there are other more important
criteria for consideration when it comes to the
designing of methods in selecting different types
of talents.
­
Ask the students to discuss whether it is more
appropriate to change the selection method to
drawing lots / leaving the decision to God /
inheritance / election and why.
­
Ask the students to form groups to discuss what Worksheet 3
other special talents / requisites are necessary for
important public offices in the HKSAR apart from
relevant statutory requirements. Also, discuss
whether the relevant selection methods are
effective in selecting the most suitable persons for
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Activities
Fill in the
worksheet
and
respond to
questions
Group
discussions
and
complete
the
worksheet
those posts.
During class discussion, the teacher introduces the
concepts of the rule of law, responsibility, justice,
equality and division of powers.
Reflection Ask the students to reflect on whether the criteria they
and lesson use for evaluating the various selection methods are
conclusion consistent.
Extended
Activities
Students’
Group
discussion
Based on the concepts and methods learnt in this Worksheet
After-class
chapter, find out information about one of the local for extended group work
political organizations and do an analysis.
activities
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Lesson 4 (Subject to the progress of the students and adequacy of time in the lesson)
Activities
Focus
Learning &
Teaching
materials
Class
Students’
Activities
Ask the students to reflect on whether there is any Worksheet
Group
presentation
conflict between the values routinely claimed by for extended presentation
and students’ various organizations and the method of selecting activities
self-reflection their own leaders. (If the students are unable to
find out relevant information, the teacher can ask
them to share what they think about the openness
of such organizations.)
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