A flag-raising ceremony is held by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong, south China, July 1, 2022.

Xi confident in Hong Kong’s future of feats and glory

HONG KONG (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s take-off toward “a splendid feat” with the solid implementation of “one country, two systems.”
Hong Kong will share the glory of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the rest of the country, Xi said when attending a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The president extended cordial greetings to all Hong Kong residents when addressing the events.
Recalling history, throughout which Hong Kong compatriots have always stood together with the motherland, Xi praised the new era of Hong Kong since its return to the motherland in 1997 and the resounding success of “one country, two systems.”
The practice of “one country, two systems” has achieved success in Hong Kong recognised by all, Xi said. “There is no reason for us to change such a good policy, and we must adhere to it in the long run,” said Xi, whose Hong Kong trip has gained widespread international attention.
Hong Kong is in a new stage of transitioning from chaos to order and then to greater prosperity.
The next five years will be crucial for Hong Kong to break new ground and achieve another leap forward, said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
A new era
Hong Kong is in a festive mood. Flags adorn avenues and alleys, red lanterns line the overpass to the main pier of the Hong Kong Island, and neon-lit celebratory messages can be seen on the facades of skyscrapers against the night sky. Hong Kong people have every reason to be joyous on the celebratory occasion and proud of their achievements over the past quarter of a century.
Since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has overcome various difficulties and challenges and forged ahead with steady steps, Xi said, lauding Hong Kong’s “irreplaceable contributions” to the development of the motherland.
Over the years, Hong Kong has become an integral part of the country’s overall development and actively aligned with national development strategies.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a significant national project, for example, has brought about new opportunities for Hong Kong.
From 1997 to 2021, Hong Kong’s GDP more than doubled from 1.37 trillion Hong Kong dollars (174.59 billion US dollars) to 2.86 trillion Hong Kong dollars. Its economy remains one of the freest and most open in the world. While boasting a world-class business environment, Hong Kong has maintained its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre.
Xi hailed the true democracy Hong Kong has enjoyed after its return to the motherland, which ensures the democratic rights of Hong Kong residents and helps maintain Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
Recent years have seen such efforts as the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, improvements to the region’s electoral system, and the implementation of the “patriots administering Hong Kong” principle.
These have provided Hong Kong with a solid institutional guarantee to overcome immediate difficulties, achieve good governance, and ensure lasting security and stability.
A good policy
Xi’s Friday address reiterated implementing the principle of “one country, two systems” in both letter and spirit without deviation or wavering.
Upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the policy’s paramount principle. On the basis of this prerequisite, Hong Kong and Macao maintain their capitalist systems in the long run and enjoy a high degree of autonomy, he said.
The more firmly the principle of “one country” is upheld, the greater the advantages the “two systems” will demonstrate in practice, Xi said.
He emphasised both enforcing the central authorities’ overall jurisdiction and upholding the special administrative regions’ high degree of autonomy.
The president voiced firm stance of keeping the power to administer the HKSAR “in the hands of patriots,” which is essential to safeguarding the long-term stability and security of Hong Kong.
“There is no country or region in the world where its people will allow an unpatriotic or even treasonous force or figure to take power,” he said.
High hopes for new gov’t
On Friday, John Lee was sworn in as the sixth-term Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and the inauguration of the sixth-term HKSAR government followed.
Xi expects the new government to take on a new look in good governance.
Hong Kong faces both opportunities and challenges, but there are more opportunities than challenges, Xi said.

(Latest Update July 4, 2022)