Illuminated decorations are seen at Victoria Park ahead of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in Hong Kong, south China, on June 18, 2022. (JIN LIANGKUAI / XINHUA)

Hong Kong has enhanced its role of bridging the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world and made remarkable economic and social achievements under the “one country, two systems” principle, European politicians and scholars said as the special administrative region prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its return to the country.

Their remarks were made in a TV program themed on the social changes that the city and its people have experienced over the past quarter-century. The show was broadcast on Italia Channel, a nationwide TV station in Italy.

Erik Solheim, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations from 2016-18, also pointed out that Hong Kong’s return to the country is a critical event to correct historic mistakes, adding that Western countries should learn from the lesson and stop using the Hong Kong SAR to attack China

Erik Solheim, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations from 2016-18, said he believes the city’s global connection has strengthened since the handover, giving full play to its role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will help Hong Kong scale new heights as Asia’s financial, innovative and technology center, Solheim said.

The Norwegian diplomat also pointed out that Hong Kong’s return to the country is a critical event to correct historic mistakes. Western countries should learn from the lesson and stop using the Hong Kong SAR to attack China, he said.

Piet Steel, a former consul general of Belgium in Hong Kong, witnessed Hong Kong’s return to the country in 1997. He attributed the SAR’s peaceful handover to the extraordinary foresight of the Chinese leadership.

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Refuting speculation of Hong Kong’s demise, Steel said Hong Kong is still vibrant today, with people working and living in peace and contentment and different cultures coexisting in harmony.

Echoing what Steel had said, Daniela Caruso, professor of the University for Peace, stressed the importance of Hong Kong’s peaceful return to the country.

A keen student of China for nearly 30 years, she warned Western politicians not to provoke any moves to separate the city from China.

The “One China” policy, under which the US recognizes Beijing as representing China, is a red line that must not be crossed, the scholar said.

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Also speaking on the TV program, George Pippas, the former mayor of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, said the successful practice of “one country, two systems” had laid a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity.

He said Hong Kong has always shown great resilience in the face of various challenges, adding that the city will usher in a more prosperous era after the pandemic.