China Daily (Hong Kong)

BLESSINGS COME IN PAIRS

- 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!

 ??  ?? Hong Kong residents perform a lion dance to celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the promulgati­on of the n
Hong Kong residents perform a lion dance to celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the promulgati­on of the n
 ?? PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY ?? Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, together with other officials and guests, attend the flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai on Wednesday morning to celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of the establishm­ent of the special administra­tive region.
PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, together with other officials and guests, attend the flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai on Wednesday morning to celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of the establishm­ent of the special administra­tive region.
 ?? CHINA DA ?? Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor mak Hong Kong’s return to the motherland on Wednesday.
CHINA DA Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor mak Hong Kong’s return to the motherland on Wednesday.
 ?? CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY ?? Boats sail across the Victoria Harbour with national flags fluttering on them, celebratin­g the 23rd anniversar­y of the city return to the motherland and the promulgati­on of the national security law for Hong Kong.
CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY Boats sail across the Victoria Harbour with national flags fluttering on them, celebratin­g the 23rd anniversar­y of the city return to the motherland and the promulgati­on of the national security law for Hong Kong.
 ?? PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY ?? The nation flag and flag of the special administra­tive region are raised as a billboard saying the national security law will preserve “one country, two systems” and restore stability serves as a background.
PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY The nation flag and flag of the special administra­tive region are raised as a billboard saying the national security law will preserve “one country, two systems” and restore stability serves as a background.
 ?? RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY ?? Billboards in commemorat­ion of the 23rd anniversar­y of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland are seen in the city on Wednesday.
RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY Billboards in commemorat­ion of the 23rd anniversar­y of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland are seen in the city on Wednesday.
 ?? RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY ?? The national flag and the Hong Kong Special Administra­tive Region flag flutter together in Central, Hong Kong.
RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY The national flag and the Hong Kong Special Administra­tive Region flag flutter together in Central, Hong Kong.
 ?? RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY ?? Hong Kong residents pose for photos with national flags and regional flags in their hands during a celebratio­n activity on Wednesday.
RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY Hong Kong residents pose for photos with national flags and regional flags in their hands during a celebratio­n activity on Wednesday.
 ?? EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY ?? national security law for Hong Kong at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island on Wednesday.
EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY national security law for Hong Kong at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island on Wednesday.
 ?? RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY ?? Hong Kong residents celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of Hong Kong’s reunificat­ion with the motherland on a bus tour on Hong Kong Island on Wednesday.
RAYMOND CHAN / CHINA DAILY Hong Kong residents celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of Hong Kong’s reunificat­ion with the motherland on a bus tour on Hong Kong Island on Wednesday.
 ?? AILY ?? kes a toast at a reception to celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of
AILY kes a toast at a reception to celebrate the 23rd anniversar­y of
 ?? CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY ?? Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (center), Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, and Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu attend a press conference, where Lam explained the national security law to the public on Wednesday.
CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (center), Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, and Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu attend a press conference, where Lam explained the national security law to the public on Wednesday.
 ?? CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY ?? Hong Kong residents holding national flags pose for a photo at Victoria Peak on Wednesday.
CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY Hong Kong residents holding national flags pose for a photo at Victoria Peak on Wednesday.
 ?? CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY ?? A barge, displaying five Chinese characters saying “Congratula­tions on passing the national security law”, sails at Victoria Harbor on Wednesday.
CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY A barge, displaying five Chinese characters saying “Congratula­tions on passing the national security law”, sails at Victoria Harbor on Wednesday.

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