Liaison Office chief Luo Huining on Friday expressed his confidence in Hong Kong’s future, saying that Hong Kong will disperse the “dark clouds” looming ahead with the strong backing of the motherland.
In an unprecedented move, Luo led his team in delivering heartfelt New Year wishes to the people of Hong Kong in a live-broadcast reception. Which was available for all to watch. Office employees also took the stage in the video message during the reception and expressed their wishes for Hong Kong in various dialects.
Four things that will not change in Hong Kong’s future — namely, the “one country, two systems” principle the SAR was built on; people’s rights and interests guaranteed under the law; residents’ way of life; and the city’s advantage of being a free market that is open to the world
Calling Hong Kong his home, Luo, the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, recounted his four “unforgettable moments” since assuming office about a year ago.
These moments include the welcoming scene of local residents for a mainland medical team arriving at the city to help with mass testing; and a celebration held by local residents on July 1, a day after the National Security Law for Hong Kong was enacted.
The law’s enactment helped the city restore its law and order, he said. Luo said that Hong Kong has changed a lot over the past year in order to set things right, but he also sees four things that will not change in Hong Kong’s future — namely, the “one country, two systems” principle the SAR was built on; people’s rights and interests guaranteed under the law; residents’ way of life; and the city’s advantage of being a free market that is open to the world.
Above all, Luo said, Hong Kong will see more changes coming. Luo expects the city to hold firm the bottom line of “one country” to ensure a bigger leeway for “two systems”.
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In the meantime, he said, the city will have a stronger capability to safeguard national security and take bigger steps to develop its economy and improve people’s living standards, as well as see a deeper integration into national development and stronger competitiveness in the world arena.
Paul Yeung Wan, senior research officer at local think tank One Country Two Systems Research Institute, said the open reception is a “step forward” and reflects the “natural” close ties between the liaison office and Hong Kong residents.
Tung Cheehwa and Leung Chunying, two former Hong Kong chief executives who are now vicechairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, joined Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in the office’s first online Lunar New Year reception.
They all expressed hope and confidence for Hong Kong in the coming year. Tung said it was gratifying to see the concerted efforts of the central and SAR authorities, professionals, and the public help Hong Kong tide over the difficulties in 2020.
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Leung called on the people to strive forward with mettle and diligence, which have helped the country curb the coronavirus and eradicate poverty in the past.
Lam pledged to work hard with colleagues to make the city “virus-free” so that the residents can return to normal life and resume exchanges with the mainland.
The SAR government will fully implement the National Security Law and guard against any acts that endanger national security, Lam said.
