Officials and political heavyweights from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have pledged to live up to the central government’s expectations by demonstrating a stronger spirit of commitment and maximizing institutional strengths under the “one country, two systems” framework.

They stated that their aim is to safeguard national interests and support the country’s strategic objectives.

Their undertaking followed on from remarks by Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, who earlier stressed the need for Hong Kong and Macao to remain resilient, united and steadfast in safeguarding national interests “when those interests face threats”, during a six-day inspection visit to Macao which ended on Tuesday.

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Xia, who is also the director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, also urged the two SARs to align their development trajectories with national priorities to foster greater momentum in addressing challenges and uncertainties,

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is on a visit to the Middle East exploring new opportunities, said he will lead the city to pioneer new realms for development under the premise of steadfastly guarding national interests..

Lee said Hong Kong must make preparations for worst-case scenarios and adopt an opportunity-oriented mindset to seize development dividends, and at the same time, build social consensus and respond to the severe geopolitical uncertainties from a strategic perspective to ensure the long-term development of the “one country, two systems” framework.

Lee also pledged to lead Hong Kong to demonstrate resilience and strength on the international stage, adding that the SAR will expedite its progress of developing new quality productive forces and consolidate its traditional and emerging strategic positioning.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said that the central government’s expectation is an accurate indication of the future direction for entrepreneurs in the two SARs, especially under the current unstable global environment.

The commercial and industrial sectors of Hong Kong and Macao will stand firmly with the country and dare to struggle, enduring the tribulations and welcoming a bright future, Chan said.

The HKSAR government will plan, advocate, coordinate, and offer support in all aspects, working in tandem with the commercial and industrial sectors to propel Hong Kong towards a more splendid future, Chan added.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kok said that the Basic Law has ensured the HKSAR’s international, amicable, and legally protected business environment, which should be properly utilized.

Lam pointed out that demonstrating that Hong Kong is an open, inclusive, and diverse society to the world is the key to attract international counterparts and fortify connections on all fronts.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po emphasized that Hong Kong will continue to leverage its core advantage of internationalization to build an expansive global economic and trade network.

The city will further deepen cooperation with traditional European and American markets, as well as forging connections with emerging markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, while helping enterprises from the Chinese mainland to explore new opportunities and attract external investments, Chan noted.

Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said she will lead the bureau to utilize the opportunities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and intensify regional cooperation, as well as promoting intercity synergy within the cluster.

The Liberal Party, a local political group influential in business circles, said it agreed that the entrepreneurs of Hong Kong and Macao should stand on the correct side of history and firmly unite with the motherland.

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The party said it believed that Hong Kong should fulfil its role as a superconnector, actively pursuing the significant opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) and the Greater Bay Area.

Lawmaker Brave Chan Yung said the prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao people and enterprises are closely linked to those of the motherland. When national interests are compromised, everyone should safeguard national interests, link their own careers with the progress of Hong Kong and Macao and the development of the country, and tell good stories of the “one country, two systems” framework to the world.

Kingsley Wong Kwok, lawmaker and chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said the business community in Hong Kong should never submit to bullying and hegemonism, and firmly maintain confidence in the city’s development.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com