Address by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Conference to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Reunification of Hong Kong with the Motherland and the Inauguration of the Sixth Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Speech at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth term of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

(July 2022, 7)

Xi Jinping

Fellow citizens and friends,

Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and to hold the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

First of all, I would like to extend my sincere greetings to all Hong Kong residents! Warm congratulations to Mr. Lee Ka-chiu, the newly appointed Sixth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and to the principal officials and members of the Executive Council of the Sixth Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to compatriots at home and abroad and international friends who support the cause of "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

The more than 5,000 years of civilization history of the Chinese nation records the hard work of the Chinese ancestors in the land of Lingnan. The modern history of China after the Opium War records the humiliation of Hong Kong's forced cession, and also records the struggle of the sons and daughters of China to save their lives. The magnificent 100-year history of struggle carried out by the Communist Party of China in uniting and leading the people records the unique and important contributions made by Hong Kong compatriots. Throughout history, Hong Kong compatriots have always been in the same boat and blood with the motherland.

Hong Kong's return to the motherland ushered in a new era in Hong Kong's history. Over the past 25 years, with the full support of the motherland and the joint efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and all sectors of society, the practice of "one country, two systems" has achieved worldwide recognition as a success in Hong Kong.

-- After its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has dared to be the first in the world and a trendsetter in the magnificent torrent of national reform and opening up, playing its role as an important bridge and window connecting the mainland of the motherland with the rest of the world, and making irreplaceable contributions to the miracle of long-term, stable and rapid economic development for the motherland. Hong Kong actively integrates into the overall development of the country, aligns with the national development strategy, continues to maintain the advantages of a high degree of freedom and openness and smooth convergence with international rules, and plays an important role in building a new pattern of China's opening up on a larger scale, wider fields and deeper level. The fields of exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland have been comprehensively expanded and the mechanism has been continuously improved, and the stage for Hong Kong compatriots to make achievements in entrepreneurship has become broader and broader.

——After returning to the motherland, Hong Kong has overcome various stormy challenges and forged ahead steadily. Neither the international financial crisis, the new crown pneumonia epidemic, nor some violent social unrest has stopped Hong Kong's march. Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong's economy has flourished, its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre has been solid, the innovation and technology industry has risen rapidly, freedom and openness have led the world, the business environment is world-class, the original laws including the common law have been maintained and developed, various social undertakings have made all-round progress, and the overall social situation has been stable. The world is amazed by Hong Kong's vitality as a cosmopolitan city.

-- After returning to the motherland, Hong Kong compatriots have become masters of their own country, practicing "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, and Hong Kong's true democracy has begun. Over the past 25 years, the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region based on the Constitution and the Basic Law has operated steadily, the overall jurisdiction of the central authorities has been implemented, and the SAR's right to a high degree of autonomy has been correctly exercised. The enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the establishment of institutional norms for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the revision and improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system have ensured the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". The democratic system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conforms to the principle of "one country, two systems", conforms to Hong Kong's constitutional status, is conducive to safeguarding the democratic rights of Hong Kong residents, is conducive to maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and shows bright prospects.

Fellow citizens, friends!

"One country, two systems" is a great initiative without precedent. The fundamental purpose of "one country, two systems" is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Everything the central government has done is for the good of the country, Hong Kong and Macao, and Hong Kong and Macao compatriots. At the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, I once said that the central authorities adhere to two points in implementing the principle of "one country, two systems": first, it must be firm and unswerving, ensuring that it will not change or waver; The second is comprehensive and accurate to ensure that there is no distortion and no deformation. Today, I would like to stress once again that "one country, two systems" has been repeatedly tested in practice, conforms to the fundamental interests of the state and the nation, and conforms to the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and Macao, and has won the full support of more than 14.<> billion people of the motherland, the unanimous support of Hong Kong and Macao residents, and the universal approval of the international community. Such a good system, there is no reason to change, it must be adhered to for a long time!

Fellow citizens, friends!

Learn from the past and learn from the past. The rich practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong has left us with a lot of valuable experience and profound enlightenment. The practice of the past 25 years tells us that only by deeply understanding and accurately grasping the practical law of "one country, two systems" can we ensure that the cause of "one country, two systems" will always move in the right direction.

First, we must comprehensively and accurately implement the principle of "one country, two systems." The principle of "one country, two systems" is a complete system. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of the "one country, two systems" principle, and under this premise, Hong Kong and Macao will maintain their original capitalist systems for a long time and enjoy a high degree of autonomy. 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 most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The comprehensive and accurate implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" will create unlimited and broad development space for Hong Kong and Macao. The stronger the "one country" principle, the more prominent the advantages of "two systems."

Second, we must uphold the unity between the overall jurisdiction of the central authorities and the guarantee of a high degree of autonomy for the Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong returned to the motherland, reintegrated into the national governance system, and established a constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region based on the principle of "one country, two systems". The central government has overall jurisdiction over the Special Administrative Region, which is the source of the region's high degree of autonomy, and the central government fully respects and firmly upholds the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by the Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law. The implementation of the overall jurisdiction of the central authorities and the guarantee of a high degree of autonomy of the Special Administrative Region are unified and connected, and only by achieving this can the Special Administrative Region be managed well. The Special Administrative Region adheres to the system of administrative leadership, in which the executive, legislative and judicial organs perform their duties in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant laws, the executive and legislative organs both balance and cooperate with each other, and the judicial organs independently exercise judicial power in accordance with law.

Third, we must implement "patriots administering Hong Kong." Power must be in the hands of patriots, this is the universal political law. No country or region in the world will allow unpatriotic or even traitorous and treasonous forces and figures to come to power. Firmly holding the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the hands of patriots is an inevitable requirement for ensuring Hong Kong's long-term peace and stability, and it cannot be shaken at any time. Safeguarding good governance means safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and safeguarding the vital interests of more than 7 million Hong Kong residents.

Fourth, Hong Kong's unique status and advantages must be maintained. In handling Hong Kong affairs, the central authorities have always considered them from the strategic and overall perspective, and have always taken the fundamental and long-term interests of the country and Hong Kong as the starting point and ending. The fundamental interests of Hong Kong are consistent with the fundamental interests of the country, and the hearts of the central government and the hearts of Hong Kong compatriots are also completely connected. Relying on the motherland and connecting with the world is Hong Kong's unique and significant advantage, which is cherished by Hong Kong residents and also cherished by the central government. The Central Government fully supports Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and advantages over the long term, consolidating its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, maintaining a free, open and standardized business environment, maintaining the common law system, and expanding smooth and convenient international connections. The central government believes that Hong Kong will make significant contributions to the historical process of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Fellow citizens, friends!

As the Chinese people and the Chinese nation usher in the great leap from standing up, getting rich to becoming strong, Hong Kong compatriots have never been absent. At present, Hong Kong is in a new stage from chaos to rule to prosperity, and the next five years will be a crucial period for Hong Kong to create a new situation and achieve a new leap. Opportunities and challenges coexist, and opportunities outweigh challenges. The Central Government and people from all walks of life in Hong Kong have high hopes for the new SAR Government, and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country are full of blessings for Hong Kong. Here, I offer four points of hope.

First, focus on improving the level of governance. Improving the governance system, improving governance capacity and enhancing governance efficiency are urgent needs to build and develop the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region well. The Chief Executive and the Government of the Special Administrative Region are the heads of Hong Kong and the first responsible persons for governing Hong Kong. We should faithfully fulfill our oath, implement the principle of "one country, two systems" with concrete actions, safeguard the authority of the Basic Law, and make wholehearted contributions to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is necessary to select meritocracy and ability in accordance with the criteria of both ability and integrity, and widely attract outstanding talents who love the motherland and Hong Kong with a firm stance, outstanding governance ability, and enthusiastic service to the public to join the government. It is necessary to enhance the national concept and international vision, and actively plan for Hong Kong's development based on the overall situation and long-term needs. It is necessary to change the concept of governance, grasp the relationship between the government and the market, and better combine the promising government with the efficient market. It is necessary to strengthen government management, improve government style, establish a new trend of daring to take responsibility, be good at doing good work, and display a new atmosphere of good governance and good governance.

Second, continuously enhance the momentum of development. Hong Kong has a special status, excellent conditions and broad development space. The Central Government fully supports Hong Kong in seizing the historic opportunities brought by national development and taking the initiative to align with national strategies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Central Government fully supports wider and closer exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and the rest of the world, attracting entrepreneurs with dreams to pursue their ambitions. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in actively and steadily promoting reform, breaking down barriers of fixed interests, and fully releasing the tremendous creativity and development vitality of Hong Kong society.

Third, effectively solve people's livelihood problems. "He who enjoys the benefits of the world is allowed to suffer the troubles of the world; Those who live in the joy of the world are also the worries of the world. "As I said, the people's yearning for a better life is our goal. At present, the biggest desire of the people in Hong Kong is to hope for a better life, a more spacious house, more opportunities to start a business, a better education for children, and better care for them when they are older. The people have something to say, and I have something to answer. The new SAR Government should be pragmatic and promising, live up to the people, regard the expectations of the whole society, especially ordinary citizens, as the greatest pursuit of governance, take more courageous and more effective measures to overcome difficulties, so that the fruits of development will benefit all citizens more equitably, and let every citizen firmly believe that as long as they work hard, they can completely change their lives and those of their families.

Fourth, jointly maintain harmony and stability. Hong Kong is the common home, home and prosperity of all residents. After going through ups and downs, everyone felt bitterly that Hong Kong cannot afford chaos and cannot afford chaos, and they deeply felt that Hong Kong's development could not be delayed any longer, and it was necessary to eliminate all interference and concentrate on development. Hong Kong residents, no matter what profession they are engaged in or what philosophy they believe in, as long as they sincerely support the principle of "one country, two systems", as long as they love Hong Kong as their homeland, and as long as they abide by the Basic Law and the laws of the Special Administrative Region, they are all positive forces in building Hong Kong and can make a contribution and contribution. It is hoped that all Hong Kong compatriots will vigorously carry forward the mainstream values of loving the motherland and Hong Kong as the core and in line with the principle of "one country, two systems", continue to carry forward the fine traditions of inclusiveness, seeking common ground while reserving differences, ceaselessly improving themselves, and fighting hard to win, so as to jointly create a better life.

We also need to pay special attention to caring for young people. If the youth prosper, Hong Kong will prosper; Youth development, Hong Kong development; If young people have a future, Hong Kong has a future. It is necessary to guide young people to deeply understand the general trend of national and world development, and enhance national pride and sense of ownership. It is necessary to help the vast number of young people solve the practical difficulties faced by their studies, employment, entrepreneurship and home ownership, and create more opportunities for them to grow into talents. We earnestly hope that every young person in Hong Kong will devote themselves to building a better Hong Kong and write a wonderful life with their fiery youth.

Fellow citizens, friends!

"May the yellow crane wings be borrowed to fly into the sky." The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. The successful practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong is an important part of this historical process. We firmly believe that with the firm support of the great motherland and the solid guarantee of the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong will certainly be able to create greater glory and share the glory of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the people of the motherland on the new journey of realizing the second centennial goal of our country.