Nation reaches a milestone in reforms
The first session of the 13th National People’s Congress and the first session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference recently held in Beijing saw the election of new-term State leaders. This represents another milestone in the country’s reforms and opening-up process.
Looking back at the past five years, under the leadership of the central government with Xi Jinping at the helm, China has achieved a level of development and progress admired by the rest of the world. As a great nation with a billion-plus population, it has not only been able to satisfy people’s basic needs but also made it possible for some of them to get rich. With its GDP enjoying steady growth, the country has seen its economy become the world’s second largest. China’s supply-side structural reforms, steered by Xi, will certainly bring more remarkable results. This includes sustained income growth among the masses allowing more people’s income levels to reach those of medium-level countries; many areas of science and technology will come to the forefront of global development; and the country’s national defense capabilities as well as its significance in the international arena will continue to grow. Chinese people’s happiness and sense of satisfaction and security are now constantly rising, something all of us should be proud of.
Undeniably Xi has achieved tremendous accomplishments for the Party and the country during his presidency. He has made great strides in the anticorruption campaign with sweeping reforms and with unprecedented efforts, targeting not only “flies” but also “tigers” and winning people’s hearts. With the NPC poll, Xi was reelected unanimously as president of the People’s Republic of China as well as chairman of the Central Military Commission. His re-election was a result of support from the people and re-confirmation of his lofty position as the State leader. It is a great fortune for the Chinese people.
Hong Kong has been returned to the motherland for more than 20 years. Past experience has shown us that Hong Kong benefits when the country does well. At present the world is focused on China’s development. The mainland’s economy has become the engine of the world’s economic growth. The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi will provide more business opportunities for many countries. It will therefore foster a community of shared interests with mutual political trust, economic integration and cultural inclusion as well as increased international cooperation.
As far as Hong Kong and Macao are concerned, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area project provides the most welcome opportunities for the two SARs to integrate their economic development into the country’s overall development strategy. Enjoying the leverage of “one country, two systems” and being an international financial hub, Hong Kong boasts a large pool of internationalized management talents. It also has a sound legal system and favorable business environment. These will help the SAR become a “bridge” and “window” for the mainland to trade and interact with the rest of the world. The city will also be able to develop into an international asset management hub. Hong Kong will then be able to share national development dividends and take its own development to the next level. In his first five-year term, Xi further promoted and upheld the “one country, two systems” to sustain Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. “Let compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao share the historic responsibility of national rejuvenation and pride in a strong, prosperous China”, Xi said. As we enjoy the advantage of geographical proximity, it would be a big disappointment to let this opportunity slip through our fingers.
As the saying goes, “Sailing the seas depends on the helmsman”, the times and the Chinese people have clearly chosen a trustworthy helmsman. It is expected that the Chinese people would stay united and maintain their competitiveness with constant selfimprovement. It will also progress toward creating a strong, prosperous, civilized and harmonious modern socialist power. Xi told the closing ceremony of the two sessions: “We should ride on the mighty driving force of the new era with full steam, steady leadership and strong morale. The giant steamer of Chinese nation bearing the great dreams of the 1.3-billion-plus Chinese people hence will keep surmounting difficulties and forging ahead, and setting sail for a long voyage into a future full of hopes successfully!”