Xi lays out road map to city’s future
President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended a meeting on Friday celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixthterm government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. President Xi pointed out that “one country, two systems” is a good system, and there is no reason to change it. There are no truer words. “One country, two systems” should be implemented resolutely into the future, and President Xi’s incisive interpretation of it provides the guiding beacon for Hong Kong people to follow and the foundation for Hong Kong’s future development.
Twenty-five years ago, “one country, two systems” was launched as an unprecedented innovative system. Since then, it has been repeatedly tested by time and practice and has proved to the world that it is workable, it is resilient, and it serves the fundamental interests of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s economy more than doubled, and foreign trade in goods more than tripled from 1997 to 2021. We have emerged stronger as an international financial, shipping, and trade center and are consistently rated by global institutions as one of the freest and most-competitive economies with a world-class business environment. More importantly, under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has the staunch support of the central government, no matter if it is good or bad times, as an impetus for development or solutions to difficulties. The Individual Visit Scheme, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong, the National Security Law for Hong Kong, and the improved electoral system are some of the best examples of Beijing’s support.
The success of “one country, two systems” is undisputable. But Hong Kong residents have also learned the hard way that Hong Kong must not be destabilized and cannot afford any chaos. Hong Kong must continue the steady implementation of “one country, two systems” into the future, and President Xi has given us the recipe with the four points he asked Hong Kong to uphold. They are: “One country, two systems” must be implemented in an accurate and comprehensive manner; the integration of the central authorities’ overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong and the high degree of autonomy for the city must be ensured; “patriots administering Hong Kong” must be adhered to; and Hong Kong’s unique status and advantages must be maintained. By doing these, I believe, Hong Kong will be able to stay committed to the premise of “one country” and leverage the benefits of “two systems” and thus ensure a bright future for the city.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and the sixth-term HKSAR government also came into office on Friday. The next five years will be critical for Hong Kong to achieve breakthroughs for which President Xi also laid down four expectations. They include to enhance governance quality, system, capability and efficiency; to boost the momentum of development continuously; to proactively solve social and livelihood problems with effective measures; and to maintain social harmony and stability together. These are also what I and every other
Hong Kong resident hopes for — that the economy will be developed and livelihoods will be improved, with the precondition of strengthening national security. Especially on the deep-seated housing problem, efforts must be made to increase supply with speed and efficiency, so that Hong Kong people can live and work in peace and contentment. Hong Kong must also seize the historic opportunities presented by national development in order to break new ground. We should proactively align with national development strategies, especially the national 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), and work hard in building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and develop the city as an international innovation and technology hub. We should seek to be involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. We should continue to leverage the support from the mainland while engaging the world. All these require resolution as well as a good grasp on the overall situation of Hong Kong, a national perspective and understanding of the international environment, in which I am confident John Lee and his team will excel.
The four points to be upheld and four expectations not only are what Hong Kong should resolutely undertake to ensure the steady implementation of “one country, two systems”; they also represent the care and best wishes from President Xi and the central government for Hong Kong people and our future. I am confident that with the precondition of strengthening national security, these will lead Hong Kong to even greater accomplishments. The platform to go forward has been set. All sectors of Hong Kong should work together to open a new chapter of socioeconomic development and lasting prosperity.