To the point
The fifth session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) concluded in Beijing on Monday. One of the final decisions the session made on the closing day was electing Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as a vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.
Leung is the first incumbent CE to be trusted with such a State leadership position. The vote is further proof the national advisory body, as well as the central government, appreciates Leung’s hard work and achievements as CE of the HKSAR. It hopes he will make more contributions to Hong Kong and the nation even after his term in the CE’s office finishes at the end of June.
Many observers noted after Leung was nominated for the new post last week that he would provide valuable insight into the Hong Kong-related decision-making process and help the HKSAR find its rightful place in national development. This is to achieve better results in all aspects of advancing the “One Country, Two Systems” policy. The opposition, on the other hand, has been protesting angrily as usual without giving us any valid reason to agree with them.
Since taking office in July 2012 Leung has done quite well as CE, considering how much more difficult the internal and external situations had become. His leadership at the head of the HKSAR Government has resulted in many undeniable achievements, such as introducing cooling measures and increasing land supply to keep the overheated housing market in check as well as prioritizing poverty alleviation and other social welfare policies. The most impressive, however, has to be the anti-separatist actions he initiated that effectively thwarted attempts to divide and destabilize Hong Kong in recent years.
In a word, Leung has set the bar high for the next CE, who will have to work extra hard to live up to the expectations of Hong Kong society as well as the central government. Most important is that the fight against separatism launched by Leung must continue as long as there are hostile forces spreading such unconstitutional ideas as “Hong Kong independence” and “self-determination”. The reason is quite simple: Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability rely on upholding the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. This is designed to maintain the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country, including Hong Kong. Separatism will destroy Hong Kong by harming the city’s and the nation’s interests.