In Hong Kong two years later, Jiang oversaw the implementation of the model he said would achieve just that, "the great concept of 'one country, two systems'" -- a process whereby the city would continue to maintain its distinct political and legal systems, while becoming part of a unified China. On Saturday, Taiwan voted overwhelmingly to reject that model, reelecting President Tsai Ing-wen in a landslide. The campaign was dominated by fears of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and a desire not to follow the path of Hong Kong -- where "one country, two systems" looks shakier than ever in the wake of sometimes violent anti-government unrest.
Responding to Tsai's victory, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry said that "regardless of what happens in Taiwan, the basic facts won't change: there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China."
