Dignitaries join Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (front row, center) to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on July 1, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG - Hong Kong celebrated the 26th anniversary of its return to the motherland on Saturday, which also marks one year since the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region took office.
Over the past year, the new governance team and all sectors of the community in Hong Kong have worked together to move towards a new stage of stability and prosperity, and the practice of "one country, two systems" has taken on a colorful new look on the new journey.
"The world is changing so fast that if we do not move forward, we will fall behind. Hong Kong cannot afford to slow down," said John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the HKSAR, reviewing his first year in office.
"I have full confidence in Hong Kong. It has great potential and a bright future," Lee stressed.
Since taking office, the sixth-term HKSAR government has submitted a series of government bills to the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and ultimately obtained their approval. This has contributed to the improvement of Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood and the enhancement of HKSAR's governance
Since taking office, the sixth-term HKSAR government has submitted a series of government bills to the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and ultimately obtained their approval. This has contributed to the improvement of Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood and the enhancement of HKSAR's governance.
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"Since the new-term government took office, it has proactively taken forward its work in promoting Hong Kong's integration into the national development and telling the stories of Hong Kong well, hoping to contribute to national development with Hong Kong's unique advantages under 'one country, two systems'," said Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR.
Under the executive-led system, the relationship between the executive and the legislature has reached a new level, and the sound interaction between the current government and the Legislative Council has made the administration smoother, Leung added.
The government strives to seize the opportunities in different aspects, including digital economy, Web3, international green technology and financial center, introducing enterprises, and pooling talent, and has taken practical measures to promote Hong Kong's high-quality economic development.
The policies on attracting talent and enterprises have received enthusiastic responses. As of May 31, about 84,000 applications for various talent entry schemes have been received by the government, and 49,000 of them were approved.
"Integration into the country" has become the keyword of the new-term HKSAR government. In the past year, the Steering Group on Integration into National Development chaired by Lee has held three meetings, focusing on various strategies to promote Hong Kong's integration into the overall national development, including the national 14th Five-Year Plan, the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Belt and Road Initiative.
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In addition, a series of policies have been implemented, including the launch of the RMB trading counter under Stock Connect, the Northbound Trading of Swap Connect, and the signing of the Arrangement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Expediting the Development of Hong Kong into an International Innovation and Technology Center.
"In the new journey of advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts with Chinese-style modernization, the new-term HKSAR government has significantly improved the speed and strength of integration into the national development," said Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commence in Hong Kong.
Dignitaries join Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (center) on the dais to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic Of China at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on July 1, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
The HKSAR government is committed to improving people's livelihood by responding to various needs in society, including providing young people with affordable housing and building light public housing units for people living in inadequate places.
"From improving the city's appearance to helping the elderly and people in need, this government has been very efficient in responding to people's concerns and solving livelihood problems, which has brought real benefits to the public," Chan Kam-ling, a Hong Kong resident, said that she was full of confidence about the future.
Since taking office on July 1 last year, maintaining harmony and stability has always been the HKSAR government's top priority.
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At the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day in April this year, Lee pointed out that safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is the common obligation of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots.
All walks of life in Hong Kong have taken action to safeguard national security, Hong Kong security and home security, and patriotism have become the undertone of Hong Kong's governance team.
"The new governance team of Hong Kong should stand firm in loving the country and the HKSAR, have outstanding governance ability, and be keen to serve the public. Only in this way can we implement the principle of 'one country, two systems' through concrete actions, safeguard the authority of the HKSAR Basic Law, and dedicate ourselves to the HKSAR," said Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of the Executive Council of the HKSAR.
A flag-raising ceremony is held at one of the barracks of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison, in Hong Kong, on July 1, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
"The HKSAR government will continue to work for the development of Hong Kong and the well-being of the people, and take the overall interests of society into consideration in the long run," Lee said, expressing hope that everyone will work together to build a better Hong Kong.
