This file photo, taken on July 14, 2020, shows the Chinese national and Hong Kong SAR regional flags fluttering at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Hong Kong’s community on Sunday hailed the Lunar New Year speech by Zheng Yanxiong, newly appointed head of the liaison office, as “uplifting and heartwarming” for the people of Hong Kong, boosting their confidence in the city’s future.

Zheng was named director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a national security advisor to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR on Saturday. Before that, he had served as head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR since July 2020.

In his maiden public speech as the new head of the liaison office, Zheng made three observations for the SAR to strengthen its drive for prosperity, including aligning the city’s future with the nation’s development. His address was warmly welcomed by the local community.

Lawmaker Stanley Ng Chau-pei called Zheng’s speech “heartwarming and uplifting”, underscoring his courage and confidence in Hong Kong.

Zheng made three observations for the SAR to strengthen its drive for prosperity, including aligning the city’s future with the nation’s development. His address was warmly welcomed by the local community

Ng said Hong Kong needs to stay united as it steers away from the whirlpool of pan-politicization and marching toward prosperity from governance. This has been the city’s winning formula in the past, and is also the spirit needed for its future development.

Frankie Ngan Man-yu, who’s also a legislator, said Zheng’s speech, entitled Further Unleash the Driving Force Of Prosperity, offers warmth and strength for everyone in Hong Kong.

He said the SAR’s development path has always been closely linked to the country's development, and the Communist Party of China’s 20th National Congress has provided new opportunities for Hong Kong’s development under “one country, two systems”.

Noting the resumption of cross-boundary travel between the SAR and the Chinese mainland, Ngan said Hong Kong’s standing as a financial, shipping, trading and I&T hub will be cemented with the gradual easing of the COVID-19 pandemic and a freer one-hour living circle within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Hong Kong will have a stronger driving force toward prosperity with the motherland’s staunch support, the solid safeguarding of “one country, two systems”, unity and the enterprising spirit of the SAR government and various sectors, as well as the unremitting efforts of the people of Hong Kong, Ngan said.

Insurance executive Chan Pui-leung, who’s also a lawmaker from the Election Committee Constituency, said Zheng’s speech has sent a clear message to Hong Kong -- the central government has fully supported the city all along and upheld its resolve to stick to “one country, two systems” in the long run.

He said it’s an important task for Hong Kong to consider how to seize the great opportunities arising from the Chinese-style modernization and participate in the historic trend of the nation’s great rejuvenation.

Along the path of governance toward prosperity, it’s necessary for Hong Kong to actively integrate itself into the nation’s overall development, said Chan.

He believes it’s also necessary for the SAR to actively participate in international exchanges and cooperation in order to consolidate its unique position and advantages under the country’s “dual circulation” economy diagram.

Lawmaker Nixie Lam Lam said that, with the central government’s staunch support, Hong Kong has been able to advance from order to prosperity.