yī guó liǎng zhì: 一国两制 - One Country, Two Systems

• Keywords: one country two systems, yī guó liǎng zhì, 一国两制, what is one country two systems, Hong Kong China policy, Macau governance, Deng Xiaoping theory, Special Administrative Region, SAR, Basic Law Hong Kong, Sino-British Joint Declaration
• Summary: “One Country, Two Systems” (一国两制, yī guó liǎng zhì) is a constitutional principle of the People's Republic of China. Formulated by Deng Xiaoping, it allows regions like Hong Kong and Macau to operate under different economic and administrative systems (capitalism) than mainland China (socialism) while remaining part of “one China”. This policy is fundamental to understanding the modern political status of Hong Kong and Macau and China's approach to national sovereignty.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yī guó liǎng zhì
• Part of Speech: Noun (Set Phrase)
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A political principle where a single sovereign state (“One Country”) contains areas that operate with distinct economic and political frameworks (“Two Systems”).
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a large household (“One Country”) that has a single set of core rules for everyone. However, two specific rooms in the house (Hong Kong and Macau) are allowed to have their own completely different sets of rules, managing their own affairs and lifestyle, for a guaranteed period of time. This arrangement is called “One Country, Two Systems.” It was designed as a pragmatic way to reunify territories with unique histories without immediately forcing them to change.

• 一 (yī): The number “one” or “single.” It's one of the simplest and most fundamental characters.
• 国 (guó): “Country” or “nation.” The character is a pictograph of a border (囗) protecting a piece of jade (玉), a symbol of treasure or power. It represents a state and its sovereign territory.
• 两 (liǎng): The number “two,” often used instead of 二 (èr) when specifying a quantity of something.
• 制 (zhì): “System,” “rule,” or “to control/regulate.” It implies an established framework or a set of regulations.

The characters combine literally and directly to mean “One Country, Two Systems.” The meaning is transparent once you know the individual characters.

“One Country, Two Systems” is not just a phrase; it's a cornerstone of modern Chinese political thought and foreign policy. Proposed by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s, its primary goal was to resolve the historical questions of Hong Kong (a British colony) and Macau (a Portuguese territory) and facilitate their return to Chinese sovereignty. The policy was a masterclass in pragmatism. It acknowledged that forcing a socialist, state-controlled system onto the thriving capitalist economies of Hong Kong and Macau would be disastrous. Instead, it promised that for 50 years after their respective handovers (1997 for Hong Kong, 1999 for Macau), they could maintain their own systems, including legal frameworks, economic policies, individual freedoms, and way of life. Comparison to a Western Concept: This is often compared to federalism (like in the United States or Germany), but the comparison is flawed. In a federal system, states or provinces have their own laws but operate within the same overarching political and economic system (e.g., democracy and capitalism). “One Country, Two Systems” is far more radical: it allows for two fundamentally different socio-economic ideologies—Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and free-market Capitalism—to coexist under a single, unitary sovereign power. The “One Country” aspect (sovereignty) is considered paramount and non-negotiable by Beijing, while the “Two Systems” part is the conditional arrangement.

This term is almost exclusively used in formal contexts related to politics, law, and international relations. You would not use it in casual daily conversation unless the topic is specifically about the governance of Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan.

• In Official Discourse: The Chinese government and state media consistently frame “One Country, Two Systems” as a resounding success and a sign of political wisdom. It's presented as the bedrock of Hong Kong and Macau's continued prosperity and stability. In this context, the connotation is overwhelmingly positive and celebratory.
• In International & Critical Discourse: For many Western observers, as well as pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, the interpretation is very different. Debates rage over whether the “high degree of autonomy” promised has been eroded over time. Here, the term is often used with a critical or concerned connotation, frequently in discussions about human rights, freedom of the press, and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

• Example 1:
  • 一国两制是中国政府为了实现国家和平统一而提出的基本国策。
  • Pinyin: Yī guó liǎng zhì shì Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ wèile shíxiàn guójiā hépíng tǒngyī ér tíchū de jīběn guócè.
  • English: “One Country, Two Systems” is a fundamental national policy proposed by the Chinese government to achieve peaceful reunification of the country.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the term's official status and purpose. `基本国策 (jīběn guócè)` means “fundamental national policy.”
• Example 2:
  • 邓小平先生是“一国两制”伟大构想的提出者。
  • Pinyin: Dèng Xiǎopíng xiānshēng shì “yī guó liǎng zhì” wěidà gòuxiǎng de tíchūzhě.
  • English: Mr. Deng Xiaoping was the proposer of the great concept of “One Country, Two Systems.”
  • Analysis: This attributes the policy to its architect, Deng Xiaoping. `构想 (gòuxiǎng)` means “concept” or “idea.”
• Example 3:
  • 在一国两制的框架下，香港享有高度自治权。
  • Pinyin: Zài yī guó liǎng zhì de kuàngjià xià, Xiānggǎng xiǎngyǒu gāodù zìzhìquán.
  • English: Under the framework of “One Country, Two Systems,” Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy.
  • Analysis: `框架 (kuàngjià)` means “framework,” and `高度自治权 (gāodù zìzhìquán)` is the “high degree of autonomy” promised.
• Example 4:
  • 许多国际观察家正在密切关注一国两制在香港的实践情况。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō guójì guānchájiā zhèngzài mìqiè guānzhù yī guó liǎng zhì zài Xiānggǎng de shíjiàn qíngkuàng.
  • English: Many international observers are closely watching the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong.
  • Analysis: This shows the term used in the context of international scrutiny. `实践 (shíjiàn)` means “practice” or “implementation.”
• Example 5:
  • 根据中英联合声明，一国两制将保证香港的生活方式五十年不变。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù Zhōng-Yīng Liánhé Shēngmíng, yī guó liǎng zhì jiāng bǎozhèng Xiānggǎng de shēnghuó fāngshì wǔshí nián bù biàn.
  • English: According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, “One Country, Two Systems” will guarantee that Hong Kong's way of life remains unchanged for fifty years.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects the policy to its historical and legal origin, the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and the famous “50 years unchanged” clause.
• Example 6:
  • 他认为，坚持一国两制是维持香港繁荣稳定的关键。
  • Pinyin: Tā rènwéi, jiānchí yī guó liǎng zhì shì wéichí Xiānggǎng fánróng wěndìng de guānjiàn.
  • English: He believes that upholding “One Country, Two Systems” is the key to maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the official pro-Beijing perspective. `坚持 (jiānchí)` means “to uphold” or “to insist on.”
• Example 7:
  • 《基本法》是一国两制方针在香港特别行政区的法律体现。
  • Pinyin: “Jīběnfǎ” shì yī guó liǎng zhì fāngzhēn zài Xiānggǎng Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū de fǎlǜ tǐxiàn.
  • English: The Basic Law is the legal embodiment of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
  • Analysis: This links the abstract policy to its concrete legal document, the `基本法 (jīběnfǎ)` or Basic Law.
• Example 8:
  • 一些批评人士担心，一国两制的原则正在被侵蚀。
  • Pinyin: Yīxiē pīpíng rénshì dānxīn, yī guó liǎng zhì de yuánzé zhèngzài bèi qīnshí.
  • English: Some critics worry that the principles of “One Country, Two Systems” are being eroded.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects a critical viewpoint. `侵蚀 (qīnshí)` is a strong word meaning “to erode” or “to corrode.”
• Example 9:
  • 最初，“一国两制”这个概念也是为了解决台湾问题而设计的。
  • Pinyin: Zuìchū, “yī guó liǎng zhì” zhège gàiniàn yěshì wèile jiějué Táiwān wèntí ér shèjì de.
  • English: Originally, the concept of “One Country, Two Systems” was also designed to resolve the Taiwan issue.
  • Analysis: This provides important historical context about the policy's broader intended application.
• Example 10:
  • 如何全面准确地理解和贯彻一国两制，是一个复杂且持续的课题。
  • Pinyin: Rúhé quánmiàn zhǔnquè de lǐjiě hé guànchè yī guó liǎng zhì, shì yī ge fùzá qiě chíxù de kètí.
  • English: How to comprehensively and accurately understand and implement “One Country, Two Systems” is a complex and ongoing issue.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames the term as a topic of ongoing debate and interpretation. `贯彻 (guànchè)` means “to implement” or “to carry through.”

• Mistake: Confusing it with independence. A common mistake is to think “Two Systems” implies that Hong Kong or Macau are independent countries. The “One Country” part is primary and asserts China's absolute sovereignty. The “Two Systems” is the arrangement for internal governance, not international status.
• Mistake: Equating it with federalism. As mentioned earlier, this is not federalism. Federalism divides power within a single type of system. “One Country, Two Systems” allows two fundamentally different ideologies (socialism and capitalism) to coexist under one sovereign.
• Mistake: Using it as a general metaphor. This term is a proper noun for a specific political policy. It's not a general metaphor for any situation where two different methods are used.
  • Incorrect: 我家实行“一国两制”，我管钱，我妻子管孩子。(Wǒ jiā shíxíng “yī guó liǎng zhì”, wǒ guǎn qián, wǒ qīzi guǎn háizi.) - “My family practices 'One Country, Two Systems'; I manage the money, and my wife manages the kids.”
  • Why it's wrong: This is an incorrect and slightly humorous misapplication. The term is exclusively for the high-stakes political context of China's SARs and its relationship with Taiwan. You would use a phrase like `分工合作 (fēngōng hézuò)` (division of labor) instead.

• 特别行政区 (tèbié xíngzhèngqū): Special Administrative Region (SAR). The official designation for Hong Kong and Macau, the places where “One Country, Two Systems” is implemented.
• 基本法 (jīběnfǎ): The Basic Law. The mini-constitution of an SAR that legally codifies the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
• 高度自治 (gāodù zìzhì): High Degree of Autonomy. The level of self-governance (excluding defense and foreign affairs) promised to the SARs under the policy.
• 港人治港 (gǎngrén zhì gǎng): “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong.” A core promise within the framework, implying local administration by local people.
• 澳人治澳 (àorén zhì ào): “Macau people governing Macau.” The equivalent principle for Macau.
• 主权 (zhǔquán): Sovereignty. The central and non-negotiable concept represented by the “One Country” part of the phrase.
• 和平统一 (hépíng tǒngyī): Peaceful Reunification. The ultimate goal for which the policy was conceived, particularly in relation to Taiwan.
• 改革开放 (gǎigé kāifàng): Reform and Opening Up. The broader era of Chinese economic and social reform under Deng Xiaoping that created the pragmatic environment for this policy to be born.