President Xi Jinping speaks at the July 1st, 2022, swearing-in ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. PHOTO HKSAR GOVERNMENT Hong Kong's political and business leaders are convinced that President Xi Jinping's major speech at the special administrative region's 25th anniversary celebrations on Friday cleared doubts about one country, two systems and is a moral booster for the city.
They were speaking at a seminar held by the Liaison Office of the Central People s Government in HKSAR on Saturday to study Xi's speech at the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong s return to the motherland and the inauguration of the SAR's six-term administration. There were about 200 prominent figures from all walks of life who took part in the seminar in Wan Chai.
Maria Tam Wai-chuTam Wai-chu, deputy director of Hong Kong's Basic Law Committee, said Xi pointed the way ahead for Hong Kong and encouraged the city to stay true to the original aspirations of one country, two systems. She said Hong Kong's democracy began after the handover in 1997, and the city has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy with Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong.
Only when governing power is kept firmly in the hands of patriots can the central government's authority over Hong Kong be effectively implemented, with the city achieving long-term stability and prosperity and solving its deep-seated issues, Tam said.
Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the largest political party in the city - the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong - said Xi's speech cleared any doubts and misunderstandings about Hong Kong's future as the president has stressed the need to maintain the city's unique strengths and status multiple times.
It is clear that Xi's message to the city is that only when one country is upheld, two systems can be given full play to, Lee said.
A group of residents bring the national flags to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to motherland at Tamar Park in Hong Kong. CALVIN NG CHINA DAILY As to the four expectations laid down by Xi, she said the DAB will continue to improve its services to the community, improve its policy research and actively breed political talents.
Executive Council Convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee agreed that Xi's remarks have removed all shades of gray and set a definitive tone for the future of one country, two systems, and some Hong Kong people are worried about whether the principle will end after 2047.
Stanley Ng Chau-pei, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, told the seminar that the new administration of HKSAR should be responsible for safeguarding one country, two systems and that being politically neutral does not conform to one country, two systems and would lead to internal strife, as well as distorted principles.
Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, a permanent honorary president of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said Xi's speech was a pat on the shoulder for Hong Kong's business sector and will lift morale in the city's long-term development.
Legislator Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said he shared Xi's keen aspirations for Hong Kong when he laid down the four expectations - solving the city's housing and medical problems, caring for the elderly and the young, as well as youth development. He said that the new administration of the SAR should think about this.
Fok hopes that the new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau will draw up a blueprint for cultural development, putting a new signature on culture for the city.