On the morning of July 1, the General Assembly to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibiti

Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong, July 1

Speech at the General Assembly to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

(July 1, 2022)

Xi Jinping

Comrades, friends:

Today, we are here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and 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! I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the newly appointed sixth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. Li Jiachao, to the main officials and members of the Executive Council of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region! I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our compatriots and international friends at home and abroad who support the cause of " One Country, Two Systems " and support Hong Kong's prosperity and stability!

The civilization history of the Chinese nation for more than 5,000 years records the hard work of the Chinese ancestors on the land of Lingnan. The modern history of China after the Opium War records the humiliation of forced cedes in Hong Kong, and also records the struggle of the Chinese people to save the nation. The magnificent century-long struggle history of the Communist Party of China united and led the people record 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 their motherland.

Hong Kong has returned to the motherland, opening a new era of 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 world-recognized success in Hong Kong.

—After returning to the motherland, Hong Kong has dared to be the first in the world and be a trendsetter in the country's reform and opening up, and played an important role as a bridge and window connecting the motherland with all parts of the world, making irreplaceable contributions to the motherland's creation of a miracle of long-term stable and rapid economic development. Hong Kong actively integrates into the overall national development situation and connects with national development strategies, continues to maintain the advantages of high freedom and openness and smooth connection with international rules, and plays an important role in building a new pattern of opening up to the outside world in a larger scope, wider field and deeper level. The field of exchanges and cooperation with the mainland has been comprehensively expanded and the mechanism has been continuously improved. The stage for Hong Kong compatriots to start businesses and make achievements is becoming wider and wider.

—After returning to the motherland, Hong Kong has overcome all kinds of storms and challenges and moves forward steadily. Whether it is the international financial crisis, the new crown pneumonia epidemic, or some severe social unrest, it has not stopped Hong Kong from moving forward. Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong's economy has flourished, its international finance, shipping and trade center has been stable, its innovative technology industry has emerged rapidly, its freedom and openness have dominated the world, and its business environment is world-class. The original laws, including common law , have been maintained and developed, various social undertakings have made comprehensive progress, and the overall social situation is generally stable. Hong Kong's vitality as an international metropolis has amazed the world.

—After returning to the motherland, Hong Kong compatriots achieved mastery of their own affairs, implemented "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, and Hong Kong's true democracy was thus opened. Over the past 25 years, the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region based on the Constitution and the Basic Law has been steadily operating, the central government's comprehensive governance power has been implemented, and the special administrative region's high degree of autonomy has been exercised correctly. Formulate the Hong Kong National Security Law, establish institutional norms for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and modify and improve the Hong Kong electoral system, ensuring that the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" is implemented. The democratic system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is in line with the "one country, two systems" policy, in line with Hong Kong's constitutional status, is conducive to safeguarding the democratic rights of Hong Kong residents, maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and showing a bright future.

Comrades and friends!

"One Country, Two Systems" is an unprecedented great initiative. The fundamental purpose of "one country, two systems" is to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Everything the central government does is for the good of the country, for the good of Hong Kong and Macao, and for the good of compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao.At the meeting to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, I once said that the central government adheres to two points in implementing the "one country, two systems" policy. First, it is unswerving to ensure that it will not change or waver; second, it is comprehensive and accurate to ensure that it will not be distorted or deformed. Today, I want to emphasize again that "one country, two systems" has been repeatedly tested by practice, is in line with the fundamental interests of the country and the nation, and is in line with the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and Macao. It has received strong support from more than 1.4 billion people of the motherland, has received unanimous support from Hong Kong and Macao residents, and has also been widely agreed upon by the international community. Such a good system has no reason to change, and it must be adhered to for a long time!

Comrades and friends!

Review the old and learn the new, learn from the past and learn from the future. The rich practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong has left us with a lot of valuable experience and a lot of profound inspiration. 25 years of practice tell us that only by deeply understanding and accurately grasping the practical laws of "one country, two systems" can we ensure that the cause of "one country, two systems" always moves steadily in the right direction.

First, we must fully and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy. The "one country, two systems" policy is a complete system. Maintaining national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of the "one country, two systems" policy. Under this premise, Hong Kong and Macao will maintain the original capitalist system for a long time and enjoy a high degree of autonomy. Socialist system is the fundamental system of of the People's Republic of China. The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. All residents of the special administrative region should consciously respect and safeguard the fundamental system of the country. Comprehensively and accurately implementing the "one country, two systems" policy will create unlimited and broad development space for Hong Kong and Macao. The stronger the principle of "one country", the more obvious the advantages of "two systems".

Second, we must adhere to the unity of the central government's comprehensive governance and the protection of the special administrative region's high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong returned to the motherland, re-incorporated into the national governance system , and established a constitutional order in the special administrative region based on the "one country, two systems" policy as the fundamental basis. The central government has comprehensive governance over the special administrative regions, which is the source of the special administrative regions' high autonomy. At the same time, the central government fully respects and firmly safeguards the high autonomy enjoyed by the special administrative regions in accordance with the law. Implementing the central government's comprehensive governance power and protecting the high degree of autonomy of the special administrative region is unified and connected. Only by doing this can the special administrative region be well governed. The Special Administrative Region adheres to the implementation of the administrative dominant system, and administrative, legislative and judicial organs perform their duties in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant laws. The administrative and legislative organs both check and balance each other and cooperate with each other. The judicial organs independently exercise their judicial power in accordance with the law.

Third, it is necessary to implement "patriots govern Hong Kong". The regime must be in the hands of patriots, which is a common political law in the world. No country or region in the world will allow unpatriotic or even treasonable forces and figures to take power. Keeping the governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region firmly in the hands of patriots is an inevitable requirement to ensure long-term stability in Hong Kong and cannot be shaken at any time. Protecting governance is to protect Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and protect the vital interests of more than 7 million Hong Kong residents.

fourth, we must maintain Hong Kong's unique position and advantages. The central government has always considered Hong Kong affairs from a strategic and overall perspective, and has always taken the fundamental and long-term interests of the country and Hong Kong as the starting point and end point. Hong Kong's fundamental interests are consistent with the country's fundamental interests, and the hearts of the central government are fully connected with those of Hong Kong compatriots. Backing back to the motherland and connecting the world, this is a distinctive advantage of Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents cherish it very much, and the central government also cherish it very much. The central government fully supports Hong Kong's long-term unique position and advantages, consolidate its position as an international financial, shipping and trade center, maintain a free, open and standardized business environment, maintain a common law system, and expand smooth and convenient international ties. The central government believes that Hong Kong will make significant contributions in the historical process of comprehensively building a modern socialist country and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Comrades and friends!

As the Chinese people and the Chinese nation usher in a 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 governance to prosperity. The next five years are a critical 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 Special Administrative Region Government, and people of all ethnic groups across the country are full of blessings for Hong Kong. Here, I offer 4 hopes.

first, focus on improving governance level. Improving the governance system, improving governance capabilities, and enhancing governance efficiency is an urgent need to build and develop the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region well. The Chief Executive and the Special Administrative Region Government are the heads of Hong Kong and the first person in charge of governing Hong Kong. We must faithfully fulfill our oath, implement the "one country, two systems" policy with practical actions, safeguard the authority of the Basic Law, and devote ourselves to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. We must select talents and appoint talents according to the standards of both moral integrity and ability, and widely absorb outstanding talents with a firm patriotism and love for Hong Kong, outstanding governance capabilities, and enthusiastic service to the public into the government. We must enhance our national concept and international perspective and actively plan Hong Kong's development from the overall situation and long-term needs. We must change our governance concepts, grasp the relationship between the government and the market, and better combine effective government with efficient markets. We must strengthen government management, improve government work style, establish a new trend of daring to take responsibility and doing good deeds, and show a new atmosphere of good governance.

Second, continuously enhance development momentum. Hong Kong has a special status, excellent conditions and a broad space for development. The central government fully supports Hong Kong to seize the historical opportunities brought by national development and actively connect with national strategies such as the "14th Five-Year Plan", the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the "Belt and Road" high-quality development . The central government fully supports Hong Kong in carrying out broader and closer exchanges and cooperation with all over the world, attracting entrepreneurs full of dreams to come here to show their ambitions. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in actively and steadily advancing reforms, breaking down barriers to solidifying interests, and fully releasing the huge creativity and development vitality contained in Hong Kong society.

Third, effectively solve people's livelihood difficulties. "Those who enjoy the benefits of the world will be subject to the troubles of the world; those who live in the world will be in the worries of the world." I have said that the people's yearning for a better life is our goal. At present, the biggest heart of Hong Kong is to hope that life will become better, to live in a spacious house, to have more opportunities to start a business, to have better education for children, and to get better care when you are older. The people have something to call, and I have something to respond. The new Special Administrative Region Government should be pragmatic and capable, live up to the people, take the expectations of the whole society, especially ordinary citizens, as the greatest pursuit of governance, and show more courageous and more effective measures to overcome difficulties, so that the development results can benefit all citizens more and more equitably, so that every citizen can firmly believe that as long as he works hard, he can completely change his own and his family's lives.

fourth, jointly maintain harmony and stability. Hong Kong is the common home of all residents, and everything will be prosperous when the family is harmonious. After experiencing ups and downs, everyone feels that Hong Kong cannot be in chaos or chaos, and they feel that Hong Kong's development cannot be delayed any longer. They must eliminate all interference and concentrate on their efforts to seek development. No matter what profession or philosophy a Hong Kong residents are engaged in, as long as they truly support the "one country, two systems" policy, as long as they love Hong Kong's home, as long as they abide by the Basic Law and the laws of the Special Administrative Region, they are all active forces in building Hong Kong and can make a contribution. We hope that all Hong Kong compatriots will vigorously carry forward the mainstream values ​​with patriotism and love for Hong Kong as the core and are compatible with the "one country, two systems" policy, continue to carry forward the fine tradition of inclusiveness and mutual assistance, seeking common ground while reserving differences, self-improvement, good at fighting and daring to win, and jointly create a better life.

We also need to care for young people in particular. If youth prosper, Hong Kong prospers; if youth develop, Hong Kong develops; if youth have a future, Hong Kong has a future. We must lead young people to deeply understand the general trend of national and world development and enhance national pride and sense of ownership. We must help young people solve the practical difficulties faced by academic, employment, entrepreneurship and property purchase, and create more opportunities for their growth and development. We sincerely hope that every young Hong Kong will join the ranks of building a better Hong Kong and write a wonderful life with its passionate youth.

Comrades and friends!

"I wish to borrow the yellow crane wings and borrow the flying clouds."The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. Promoting 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 "one country, two systems" policy, on the new journey of achieving our second centenary goal, Hong Kong will surely create greater glory and will surely share the glory of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the people of the motherland!