CPC leadership highlighted in advancing ‘one country, two systems’
It is imperative to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China in advancing the cause of “one country, two systems”, Beijing’s top liaison officer in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said at a seminar in the city on Saturday.
The high-level seminar, attended by Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and other high-ranking national and local officials, was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Party, which falls on July 1.
In his keynote speech at the seminar, Luo said it is a historical fact that without the leadership of the CPC, there would be no smooth handover of Hong Kong, nor the prosperity and stability after its return.
He cited the “timely and decisive” efforts made by the CPC Central Committee to put “one country, two systems” on the correct path and to transform Hong Kong from chaos to order after the turbulence over the extradition bill in 2019. Those efforts included promulgating the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and improving the SAR’s electoral systems.
“No one better appreciates the value of ‘one country, two systems’ or is more committed to the original aspirations of this policy than the CPC.
“Posing existential threats to the policy of ‘one country, two systems’ and to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong are those who clamor for an end to one-party rule, reject the leadership of the CPC over the cause of ‘one country, two systems’ and attempt to use Hong Kong as a geopolitical pawn to contain China and infiltrate the mainland,” Luo emphasized.
The liaison chief also noted that the destiny of Hong Kong has always been intertwined with that of the motherland. The country remains the strongest source of support for the betterment of Hong Kong.
Addressing the forum, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said Hong Kong’s smooth return to the motherland is a significant part of the Party’s achievements made during the past century.
The Party and the central government designed the “one country, two systems” framework to enable Hong Kong people to retain as much as
The blast occurred at around 6 am in a two-story food market next to a residential area in the city’s Zhangwan district. A preliminary investigation by the local emergency management department concluded it was caused by a gas pipeline leak.
The city and the provincial government immediately set up rescue and emergency response teams, and sent 173 local firefighters and 40 armed police to the site of the blast.
The information office reported on its social media account that those injured were taken to hospitals for treatment and Hubei has coordinated medical resources across the province to help the city.
According to a witness, some stores in the market were already open and a few people were buying groceries when the explosion occurred.
Images and video clips circulating on social media indicate that the blast packed a huge wallop — only the main structure of the building remains and debris is scattered everywhere.
Hubei Party Secretary Ying Yong announced after the blast that the government will strive to minimize the damage and to promptly publicly report related information.
“The province will organize a comprehensive examination of the pipeline and fire facilities in the province, especially in old residential areas, to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property,” Ying said.
Zhang Dong, a deputy manager of a local engineering company who voluntarily organized a 100member team offering on-site logistics support, said he is calling on colleagues to donate blood after hearing of a shortage in local hospitals.
“We are supplying water and food to the rescue team at the site, and since there are many people in the designated blood donation station, we have suggested those who want to donate blood go there at different times,” Zhang said.
There are currently four stations where city residents can donate blood.
The cause of explosion remains under investigation.