Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor is seen in this photo taken on May 12, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Next year’s grand celebration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s quarter-century reunification with the motherland will show the world the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle and enhance local and overseas confidence in the city’s future development, Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday.
The celebration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s quarter-century reunification with the motherland will include over 100 activities, from cultural events to high profile forums, to mark the special occasion for the people of Hong Kong and their compatriots on the Chinese mainland, Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu said
He made the remarks at the launch ceremony of the celebration, six months ahead of the anniversary on July 1. The celebration will include over 100 activities, from cultural events to high profile forums, to mark the special occasion for the people of Hong Kong and their compatriots on the Chinese mainland, for the SAR and the country, Lee said.
Under the theme “A New Era — Stability, Prosperity, Opportunity”, the celebration will demonstrate Hong Kong’s achievements over the past 25 years and its aspirations for a better future, said Lee, who chairs an interdepartmental steering committee preparing for the celebration. He added that these achievements include the successful restoration of stability from chaos over the past two years with the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the revamped electoral system.
Fourteen of Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Offices overseas will promote the city’s unique advantages and business opportunities under the nation’s 14th Five Year Plan (2021-25) through thematic activities such as Hong Kong Week in Thailand and Hong Kong Month in Europe.
The government will also look to advocate Hong Kong’s cultural strengths on the mainland as it is developing into a hub for cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world under the 14th Five-Year Plan. Exhibitions, for example, will be held in different cities on the mainland to commemorate the renowned Chinese novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, who was better known by his pen name Jin Yong.
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Hong Kong residents will have opportunities to experience the city’s new cultural status through a series of local cultural events and art exhibitions, including the opening exhibition of the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
The government-backed activities also include carnivals, film festivals, trade fairs, and forums, and a special stamps issue to engage people of different ages and backgrounds, according to Eddie Mak Tak-wai, director of the government’s Project Planning Office.
Members of the public can access the latest information on the celebration activities through a dedicated webpage launched on Wednesday. The social groups are, in the meantime, welcome to organize and register their celebration events on the website to help boost the joyful atmosphere, Lee said.
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Also on Wednesday, China Overseas Property Holdings, an investment company engaged in property management services, launched a yearlong community service project to take the lead in welcoming the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
Chen Xiaofeng, the company’s executive director and chief financial officer, said that the company will use its strength in community services and work with patriotic forces in the city to improve people’s livelihoods in celebration of the anniversary of Hong Kong’s great turning point.
