Int’l community advised to seize ‘HK opportunities’

Fresh opportunities and deeper cooperation are planned for the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and foreign nations in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the central government’s chief foreign affairs commissioner in Hong Kong said on Monday.

Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, addressed 56 consulgenerals from around the world in the city. He briefed them of the new outlook presented by the country’s ruling party — the Communist Party of China — at its 19th National Congress.

Xie said diplomatic cooperation in Hong Kong and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle was entering a new era. This is because the congress report identified the principle as one of the basic strategies for developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

He appealed to Hong Kong’s foreign consuls to abide by international law, as well as the laws in the Chinese mainland and HKSAR. Xie said he also hoped his foreign counterparts would respect China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xie also advised them to seize the many opportunities provided by China’s development. They should actively participate in cooperation among Hong Kong, the mainland and foreign countries in carrying out the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area plan, he added.

Xie said the commissioner’s office will continue to be an active facilitator of Hong Kong’s diplomatic cooperation. The office will assist in Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity, stability and the SAR’s further integration into the nation’s development.

Foreign consuls at the event generally confirmed the vital and active impact the congress had on China’s future development and internationally. They predict

Briefly

greater cooperation with the country through Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jianguo, minister of the State Council Information Office and deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, remarked on Tuesday that the “one country, two systems” principle had clearly proved itself to be the “best solution” to historical problems in Hong Kong and Macao. It had also been the best system for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability following the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the nation.

Diplomatic cooperation in Hong Kong and successful implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle is entering a new era.”

Xie Feng,

Jiang said people should accurately comprehend the relationship between “one country” and “two systems”. It requires the firm establishment of a sense of “one country” and also adherence to the “one country” principle. It needed correct handling of relations between the SAR and the central government, Jiang added.

He also said the nation’s Constitution and Hong Kong’s Basic Law, the SAR’s constitutional document, should be adhered to strictly.

Any activities that endanger the country’s sovereignty, challenging the central government’s authority and the SAR’s Basic Law, or using Hong Kong and Macao to harm the Chinese mainland, will not be tolerated, he added.