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By GU MENGYAN in Hong Kong jefferygu@chinadailyhk.com
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region turned one year older on Wednesday, with a gift that marks a turning point for “the Pearl of Orient” to move from turmoil to stability.
Just an hour before the SAR turned 23 years old, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR came into force. Tailor-made for the city, the law has filled a vacuum left since the SAR’s birth in 1997, safeguarding it from attempts to separate it from its motherland and to disrupt its progress.
Glasses were raised at an annual reception in Wan Chai attended by Hong Kong government officials, central government officials and local community leaders to celebrate the anniversary. HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said a turning point for the city had finally been reached after the “toughest” year in her four-decade long public service career.
Residents came out to join a variety of events celebrating the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and
the enactment of the national security law, showing their pride in the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” over the past 23 years.
Some of them celebrated on decorated ferries and buses, traveling routes on Hong Kong Island, waving national flags — with big smiles on their faces. While some were on Victoria Peak, a Hong Kong landmark, singing the national anthem and chanting “Hong Kong shall start anew”, with the hope that better days will prevail.
Looking into the future, the city’s leader is filled with confidence. “As long as we all make Hong Kong our home, and are willing to put aside our differences and move on, I believe there are always more solutions than problems and Hong Kong can definitely build a better future,” Lam told the reception.
The people of Hong Kong share her confidence. The national security law will help bring the city back on the right track; it will make it less likely to have a resurgence of protest violence; this offers the city the best chance to start anew, they said.
One year older, one year wiser. Thanks to the new law, the city will embark on a broad path of common development and integration with the mainland. Happy birthday, HKSAR!