Carrie Lam calls for unity, confident of ‘greater heights’
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Sunday called for unity and seizing the opportunities as she addressed officials in her first National Day speech since taking office in July.
“As long as we capitalize on our strengths, stay focused, seize the opportunities before us and stand united, I am sure that Hong Kong can reach even greater heights,” Lam said at a National Day reception celebrating the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
She attended a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai in the morning and hosted a reception in the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to mark the occasion.
Leveraging its position as a special administrative region of the PRC during the past 20 years, Hong Kong has witnessed, participated in and benefitted from the country’s continuous reform and opening-up, Lam said.
“Through business, investment, employment, studies and exchanges in various areas, Hong Kong people have acquired a better understanding of our country and fostered deep emotional bonds with the people on the mainland.”
She referred to President Xi Jinping’s assurance during the 20th anniversary of the HKSAR that “Hong Kong has always had, and would continue to have the strong backing of our motherland”.
“The continuous development and growing prosperity of our country not only give Hong Kong strength to rise to challenges, but also provide opportunities for Hong Kong to explore new directions for its development, and to seek new impetus as well as an expanded scope for such development,” she said.
Recounting her discussions with officials during her recent visits to the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar and exchanges with those visiting the city, the CE said: “All of
As long as we capitalize on our strengths, stay focused, seize the opportunities before us and stand united, I am sure that Hong Kong can reach even greater heights.”
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive
them expressed keen interest in our country’s Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.”