HK people should take pride in being Chinese, Yang says

Hong Kong people should have confidence in Chinese culture and pride in their national identity — at a time when China’s international influence grows constantly, State Councilor Yang Jiechi said on Tuesday.

Yang made the call during a closed-door meeting with Hong Kong’s deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing.

Condemning the idea of “Hong Kong independence”, he called on Hong Kong people to safeguard the national interests and stand against separatism. This is a natural responsibility for a Chinese national, Vice-Convener of Hong Kong’s NPC delegation Ma Fung-kwok cited Yang as saying.

Yang’s appeal was in line with Premier Li Keqiang’s unprecedented statement against separatist ideas in the annual Government Work Report delivered on Sunday.

Yang said the country had made tremendous achievements and its international influence had grown significantly.

Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, has an important role to play in the country’s development and achievements. Hong Kong people should take pride in the country’s accomplishments and in their Chinese identity, and also be confident about Chinese culture, the state councilor said.

Yang hopes Hong Kong could actively join the nation’s Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. He believes the city has promising prospects.

He urged Hong Kong to participate in the B&R forum for international cooperation to be held in Beijing in May, Ma said.

Echoing Yang, NPC Standing Committee member Rita Fan

Hong Kong people should take pride in the country’s accomplishments and in their Chinese identity, and also be confident about Chinese culture.” Yang Jiechi, state councilor

Hsu Lai-tai saw the necessity of Beijing’s firm stance against “Hong Kong independence” advocacy.

Although very few people advocate or believe in these ideas, the issue must not be ignored because it harms sovereignty and national security, Fan said.

NPC member and Hong Kong legislator Michael Tien Puk-sun agreed that “Hong Kong independence” would lead nowhere.

Tien said he hoped members of the Chief Executive Election Committee in the SAR could elect a new leader of the city who is able to communicate well with young people to help solve this “non-issue”.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Stanley Ng Chau-pei hoped more exchange platforms could be set up for young people from Hong Kong and the mainland. This will help them to communicate more frequently to enhance mutual understanding

Meanwhile, young entrepreneurs from both sides can utilize strengths of both sides to pursue their ambitions, Ng added.