Xi points out ways to set Hong Kong in right direction
President Xi Jinping gave an important speech at a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the swearing-in ceremony of the sixthterm Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in Hong Kong on Friday. In the speech, he summarized the exercise of “one country, two systems” in the past 25 years into four points, with a fourpoint expectation for the sixth-term HKSAR government and Hong Kong society in general.
The first point in summarizing the exercise of “one country, two systems” boils down to keeping it complete and accurate all the way. President Xi added that upholding the country’s sovereignty, national security and development interest constitutes the highest principle of “one country, two systems” as well as the precondition for Hong Kong and Macao to maintain their capitalist systems and existing way of life beyond “unchanged for 50 years”, with a high degree of autonomy to boot. In saying so, he once again emphasized “one country” is the foundation and lifeline of “two systems”. He pointed out that the socialist system is the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China, and the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the essence of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which is why all Hong Kong residents are obligated to respect and uphold the country’s fundamental system.
The second point explains the relationship between the central government’s overall jurisdiction over the two SARs and the high degree of autonomy they enjoy according to their respective Basic Law. The central government holds the right to overall jurisdiction over the special administrative regions, whose high degree of autonomy is derived from the central government’s overall jurisdiction; while the central authorities fully respect and resolutely support the SARs’ high degree of autonomy according to law. President Xi also emphasized that the SARs maintain executive-led governance, with the executive wing and legislative wing serving as each other’s check and balance while also cooperating with each other, instead of blindly copying the so-called “separation of powers” touted by some Western countries. However, the judiciaries of the SARs exercise independent adjudication according to their respective Basic Laws.
The third point President Xi summarized in his speech is that the SARs must ensure “patriots administering Hong Kong/ Macao”. It’s a common political doctrine among nations of the world to entrust their governments in the hands of patriots, meaning “patriots administering Hong Kong” is the only way for the city to maintain lasting stability and order.
The fourth point President Xi summarized is that Hong Kong must keep its unique status and advantages. He agrees that Hong Kong is uniquely blessed with the advantage of unconditional support of the motherland and connects the motherland to the rest of the world in return. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and advantages as long as possible, including its status as a hub of international finance, shipping and trade; sustaining its free, open and favorable business environment; and keeping its common law system while expanding its ties with the international community. Amid great changes unseen in a century, coupled with an equally challenging global pandemic, President Xi’s speech assures the world that China remains fully committed to a high-caliber all-round opening-up despite all the obstructions.
Furthermore, President Xi said, the exercise of “one country, two systems” must continue as long as possible, because only by staying committed to the “one country, two systems” principle can Hong Kong expect a bright future. Without a doubt there are opportunities and challenges ahead, but it is safe to say that opportunities outnumber challenges by a mile. In encouraging the SAR government and Hong Kong society to seize the opportunities while dealing with various challenges, President Xi raised four expectations.
First, expecting the SAR government to raise the standard/quality of governance, improve the governance system, and elevate its governance capacity and step up its governance efficiency. President Xi points out the chief executive and the SAR government serve as the “homemaker” and primary administrator of Hong Kong. That is why he expects the SAR government to select patriotic talents of high moral standard and ready to serve Hong Kong society wholeheartedly to fill administrative positions. Those hoping to join the SAR government should heighten their national awareness and global vision, so that they can effectively plan for Hong Kong’s future development based on what the SAR needs from a longterm, nationwide perspective. To do so, it must tweak its governance philosophy to suit the changing times and pursue the perfect pairing of an effective government with an efficient market economy. It should also strengthen government management; improve the government’s work style; and set a new trend of governance that is always accountable, capable and skillful in achieving administrative excellence.
Second, expecting Hong Kong to build up its development momentum. President Xi stressed in his speech that Hong Kong must seize the historic opportunities generated by the nation’s development by integrating its own development into the country’s overall development strategy while maintaining close cooperation with countries and regions around the world. That’s the best way to defeat counter-globalization attempts. President Xi assured Hong Kong of the central government’s full support in proactive and steady reform to break down any barriers of solidified interests in the SAR, thus pointing the way for the SAR government to resolve Hong Kong’s age-old and deep-rooted problems eroding the economy and people’s well-being.
Third, expecting the chief executive and his team to help people in need out of their predicament effectively. President Xi said he hopes the SAR government will aim at realizing the people’s aspiration for a better life step by step. He minced no words in pointing out residents’ outstanding demands for bigger living spaces, calling the housing shortage the greatest obstacle in their pursuit of a better life, followed by more job opportunities, better education for their children, and better care for senior citizens. He also expects the sixth-term SAR government to focus more attention on meeting the demands of not just Hong Kong society but the grassroots communities in particular as best it can, so that every resident has faith in earning a better life for their family through hard work.
Four, expecting Hong Kong residents to join hands in upholding social harmony and stability. President Xi made it clear that Hong Kong residents, regardless of their occupation, faith and philosophy, are part of the positive force behind the city’s development as long as they love their hometown and abide by the laws of the SAR as well as the Basic Law.