Speech on the 25th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Return to the Motherland and the Inauguration of the Sixth-Term Government of the HKSAR

Speech on the 25th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Return to the Motherland and the Inauguration of the Sixth-Term Government of the HKSAR

July 1, 2022

My fellow Chinese,
Dear friends,

Today we are gathered here on this solemn occasion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, and to hold the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

First of all, I would like to extend sincere greetings to all of you, the people of Hong Kong. I also extend warm congratulations to the newly inaugurated sixth-term HKSAR Chief Executive Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, and to principal officials and members of the Executive Council of the sixth-term HKSAR government. Let me also express heartfelt appreciation to all our Chinese compatriots both at home and abroad, and to friends from other countries, for their support for the cause of One Country, Two Systems and for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.

In the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization, one of the important chapters was the story of our ancestors working hard on the land south of the Nanling Mountains. In modern China, after the outbreak of the Opium War of 1840, the humiliation of ceding Hong Kong was a page of pain, but the Chinese people never stopped fighting for the survival of our nation. The past century has seen how the Communist Party of China has rallied the Chinese people and led them on an epic quest for a better future, and our fellow Chinese in Hong Kong have made a unique and significant contribution to this endeavor. Throughout history, our compatriots in Hong Kong have always maintained a close bond with the motherland in weal and woe.

Hong Kong’s return to the motherland marked the beginning of a new epoch for the region. Over the past 25 years, with the full support of the country and the joint efforts of the HKSAR government and people from all sectors, the One Country, Two Systems policy has been successfully implemented in Hong Kong, which has been widely recognized by the international community.

– Since its return, Hong Kong has continued to break new ground together with China’s monumental reform and opening-up efforts, and it now functions as an important bridge between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. As a result, it has made an irreplaceable contribution to our country’s economic miracle, marked by long-term, stable and rapid growth. By actively integrating itself into the country’s overall development and aligning its development with the national development strategies, Hong Kong has maintained its strengths — a high degree of liberalization and openness, and alignment with international rules. In doing so, the region has played an important role in upgrading China’s opening-up program with broader coverage and greater scope. As cooperation and exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland continue to expand and mechanisms for this cooperation continue to improve, people in Hong Kong have better opportunities to start businesses and pursue success.

– Since its return, Hong Kong has overcome various hardships and challenges and advanced steadily. Nothing, not the global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, or the period of social unrest, has stopped Hong Kong from marching forward. Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong’s economy has thrived, its status as an international financial, shipping and trading center has been maintained, and its innovative sci-tech sectors have grown rapidly. Hong Kong has remained one of the most liberal and open economies in the world and maintained a world-class business environment. Its previous laws, including the common law, have been maintained and developed, all-round progress has been made in its social programs, and overall social stability has been ensured. The vitality of Hong Kong as an international metropolis is well recognized by the world.

– Since its return, the people of Hong Kong have truly become the masters of the land. With the policy of the people of Hong Kong administering Hong Kong, and a high degree of autonomy in practice, the region has entered an era of genuine democracy. Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong’s constitutional order, based on the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, has functioned well. The central government’s overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong has been maintained, and a high degree of autonomy in the region is in place. The Hong Kong National Security Law has been adopted, which has established the legal framework for safeguarding national security in the region. The electoral system of Hong Kong has been modified and improved, thereby ensuring the implementation of the principle that Hong Kong should be administered by patriots. The democratic system of Hong Kong is in keeping with the policy of One Country, Two Systems and conforms to the region’s constitutional status. It safeguards Hong Kong residents’ democratic rights, secures Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and guarantees a bright future.

My fellow Chinese,
Dear friends,

One Country, Two Systems is an unprecedented undertaking. Its fundamental goals are to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao. Everything the central government has done is for the good of the whole country, and also for the good of the two regions and their residents. At the meeting celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland in 2017, I stated that the central government would follow two principles in implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems. They are firmness, and full and faithful application. First, we will not change or waver in implementing the policy; and second, we will implement it without any distortion or alteration. Today, I would like to emphasize again that the policy of One Country, Two Systems has been tested repeatedly in practice. It serves the fundamental interests not only of Hong Kong and Macao, but of the whole country and the nation. It has gained wide support from all of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, including the residents of Hong Kong and Macao. It is also widely endorsed by the international community. There is no reason for us to change such an effective policy, and we must adhere to it in the long run.

My fellow Chinese,
Dear friends,

A review of the past can light the way forward. The practice of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong has provided us with valuable experience and has also given us profound enlightenment. What has been achieved over the past 25 years shows us clearly that only when we have a full and accurate understanding of the guidelines underlying the implementation of One Country, Two Systems, can we ensure that this cause will advance in the right direction and in a sound and sustained manner.

First, we must fully and faithfully apply the policy of One Country, Two Systems. This policy represents a complete system. Its top priority is to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests. Subject to this requirement, Hong Kong and Macao can maintain their existing capitalist systems over the long term and enjoy a high degree of autonomy. Since the socialist system is the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China and leadership by the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, all residents in these two special administrative regions should willingly respect and uphold the country’s fundamental system. The thorough and faithful implementation of the policy of One Country, Two Systems will open up broader prospects for the development of Hong Kong and Macao. The more firmly the principle of One Country is upheld, the greater the strength of the Two Systems will be.

Second, we must uphold the central government’s overall jurisdiction while ensuring a high degree of autonomy in the HKSAR. Since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has been reintegrated into China’s governance system, and a constitutional order has been established on the basis of the policy of One Country, Two Systems. The central government’s overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong underpins its high degree of autonomy, and this autonomy, bestowed by the law, is fully respected and resolutely safeguarded by the central government. The central government’s overall jurisdiction and a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong are integral to each other, and this is crucial to the governance of Hong Kong. The executive-led system is practiced in Hong Kong. The executive, legislative and judicial branches perform their respective duties in accordance with the Basic Law and other relevant laws. The executive and legislative branches exercise checks and balances and cooperate with each other, while the judiciary exercises its power of adjudication independently.

Third, we must ensure that Hong Kong is administered by patriots. A government must be in the hands of patriots, and this is a principle that is practiced in all countries. No people in any country or region in the world will ever allow an unpatriotic — or worse, a treasonous — force or figure to hold power. The Hong Kong government must be safely kept in the hands of those who love the country. This is crucial for Hong Kong’s lasting prosperity and stability, and this principle must not be compromised under any circumstances. To ensure that the power of government is in the hands of the right people is to safeguard Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as the vital interests of more than seven million residents in the region.

Fourth, we must maintain Hong Kong’s unique status and strengths. The central government has always handled Hong Kong affairs from a strategic and overall perspective and with a view to the fundamental and long-term interests of both Hong Kong and the country as a whole. The fundamental interests of Hong Kong are consistent with those of the nation as a whole, and the central government and Hong Kong compatriots share the same aspirations. Hong Kong enjoys a close connection with the global market and strong support from the motherland. These unique advantages are valued by both the people of Hong Kong and the central government. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in its effort to maintain its distinctive status and strengths, improve its status as an international financial, shipping and trading center, keep its business environment free, open and well-regulated, maintain the common law, and expand and facilitate its international engagement. The central government is convinced that Hong Kong will make a major contribution to China’s endeavor to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

My fellow Chinese,
Dear friends,

All of you, our compatriots in Hong Kong, have always been part of the process in which the Chinese people and the Chinese nation have endeavored to realize the great transformation from standing up and becoming prosperous to growing in strength. With order restored, Hong Kong is entering a new phase of prosperity. The next five years are important for Hong Kong to break new ground and achieve another leap forward. While there are both opportunities and challenges, the opportunities outnumber the challenges. The central government and people from all sectors of Hong Kong society have high expectations for the newly inaugurated HKSAR government. People of all ethnic groups across the country wish the best for Hong Kong. Here, I wish to propose four points.

First, Hong Kong should further improve its governance. To promote the development of Hong Kong, it is urgent to improve its governance system, capacity and efficacy. The chief executive and the HKSAR government have primary responsibility for the governance of the region. They should fulfill their commitments, implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems with concrete actions, uphold the authority of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and devote themselves to the development of the region. Candidates for public office should be assessed on both competence and moral integrity before they are recruited. Capable professionals who love both the motherland and Hong Kong — those with strong governance capabilities and a passion for serving the public — should be recruited as public servants. It is important to heighten their sense of national identity and to broaden their international vision in order to create better development plans for the region from an overall and long-term perspective. The HKSAR government needs to change its governance philosophy and properly balance the relationship between the government and the market so that both function well. It should strengthen self-management and improve its conduct to better fulfill its responsibilities, deliver better performance, and provide good governance in Hong Kong.

Second, Hong Kong should continue to create strong impetus for growth. With its special status, Hong Kong enjoys favorable conditions and broad space for development. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in its effort to seize the historic opportunities offered by China’s development and actively dovetail with the 14th Five-year Plan (2021-2025) and other national strategies, such as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in carrying out more extensive exchanges and closer cooperation with the rest of the world and in attracting ambitious entrepreneurs to Hong Kong to realize their dreams. The central government also fully supports Hong Kong in taking active yet prudent steps to advance reform and dismantle the barriers of vested interests in order to unlock the enormous creativity and development potential of Hong Kong society.

Third, Hong Kong should fully address people’s concerns and their difficulties in daily life. “Officials who enjoy benefits have an obligation to relieve people’s burdens and address their concerns.” As I said, meeting the people’s expectations for a better life is our goal. Currently, the biggest expectation of Hong Kong people is to lead a better life, which means better housing, better opportunities to start their own businesses, better education for their children, and better care in their late years. We should meet their expectations. The newly inaugurated HKSAR government should take solid steps, live up to the hopes of the people, and attain its primary goal of meeting the expectations of the whole of society, particularly ordinary citizens. It should take bolder steps and adopt more effective measures to overcome difficulties and forge ahead. It should make sure that all citizens in Hong Kong share fully and fairly the fruits of development. Our residents must be convinced that those who work hard can improve their own and their family’s lives.

Fourth, the people of Hong Kong should work together to safeguard harmony and stability. Hong Kong is the home of all its people, and harmony in a family brings success in every endeavor. Having gone through difficult times, we are all keenly aware that Hong Kong cannot afford to be dragged into chaos, and should never again be allowed to plunge into disorder. We also realize that there must be no slowdown in Hong Kong’s development. We must rid ourselves of all and any interference so that we can concentrate on Hong Kong’s development. Everyone in Hong Kong, regardless of profession and belief, can be a positive force and contribute to the region’s development as long as they genuinely support the policy of One Country, Two Systems, love Hong Kong, and abide by the Basic Law and the laws of the special administrative region. It is my hope that all fellow compatriots in Hong Kong will stay true to our core values, which are characterized by the love of both the motherland and Hong Kong and are in keeping with the policy of One Country, Two Systems. They should continue to follow the traditions of valuing inclusiveness, seeking common ground while setting aside differences, keeping an unyielding spirit and courage, and striving for success, and create a better future together.

We must give particular care and attention to young people. Hong Kong will prosper only when its young people thrive; Hong Kong will flourish only when its young people achieve well-rounded development; and Hong Kong will secure a bright future only when its young people have good career prospects. We should help young people to gain a deep insight into trends in both China and the world, cultivate a sense of pride in their country, and heighten their awareness that they share the future of the country. We must help young people resolve their difficulties in education, employment, business startup, and housing, so that more opportunities will be created for their development and success. We sincerely hope that all young people in Hong Kong will devote themselves to building Hong Kong into a better home, and write a fulfilling chapter of their lives with the passion of youth.

My fellow Chinese,
Dear friends,

In the words of a Chinese poem, “I would like to borrow a pair of wings from the crane to soar up to the sky.” The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, and the success of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong is an important part of this historic process. We are convinced that with the strong backing of the motherland and the solid guarantee provided by the policy of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong will achieve splendid feats on the journey towards the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, and that its people will share the glory of national rejuvenation with all their fellow Chinese.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)