Merge faster with nation’s growth, Zhao tells SARs

The Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions should speed up their integration with the nation’s development, contribute what they excel at and strengthen the momentum for the country’s and their own development, said Zhao Leji, a member of the nation’s highest decision-making body.

Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Political Bureau, made the call at a meeting on Sunday with Hong Kong and Macao members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference — the nation’s top political advisory body.

The Hong Kong and Macao delegations are in Beijing for the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee being held from March 3 to 15.

Zhao, who’s also secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, noted that both SARs have been actively involved in the nation’s reform and opening-up, as well as its modernization, adding they have made special and pivotal contributions.

The 19th National Congress of the CPC has shed light on the direction for the two SARs to integrate themselves into the nation’s development, and how to take further advantage of “one country, two systems” to maintain the regions’ longterm prosperity, he said.

Zhao recognized the achievements made by both cities over the years, but also noted that they still face considerable challenges stemming from some longstanding, deep-seated conflicts, and the regions’ cooperation with the mainland can also be further enhanced.

The effective way to address these issues will be accelerating their integration with national development.

He said that, in advancing that cause, members of the 13th CPPCC National Committee from both regions should actively push forward integration, while contributing to maintaining the longterm prosperity and stability of the two regions.

They shall serve as a bridge between the people and the governments in the SARs, and take the lead in supporting the two administrations.

Zhao also called for the building of a consensus in the two SARs by promoting the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and the historical achievements made by the Party and the country in the past five years.

In addition, efforts should be devoted to expanding the ranks of patriots in the SARs, especially in attracting more young people to carry on the honorable torch of loving the country and the SARs, and be the successors of faithful and comprehensive implementation of “one country, two systems”, he said.

Both SARs (Hong Kong and Macao) have been actively involved in the nation’s reform and opening-up, as well as its modernization.”

Zhao Leji,

Carrie Qiu contributed to the story.