Hong Kong will comprehensively seize the enormous opportunities brought by the country's development through its first five-year plan, and enable residents to share more of the fruits of development by proactively integrating into and serving the country's overall development, said Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu at the National Day Reception in Celebration of the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China on Thursday.

“Time and tide wait for no man,” Lee said, noting that the motherland has developed into the world's largest manufacturer and merchandise trader, and that Hong Kong must act decisively and respond to changing circumstances by formulating the five-year plan.

Adhered to the "one country, two systems" principle, the plan is logical and target-oriented. Lee said it serves as a comprehensive blueprint targeted at building strengths, overcoming weaknesses, seizing opportunities and managing threats.

The plan focuses on six themes, including the development of "four centers and one hub", namely developing into a financial, maritime and trade centers and an aviation hub, as well as an innovation and technology center and an hub for high-caliber talent, he added.

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Lee noted that Hong Kong is the only city in the world that enjoys the convergence of national and international opportunities, and its unique advantage as a superconnector between the country and the rest of the world is one of the initiatives for implementing the first five-year plan.

Hong Kong's first payload specialist to take part in a manned spaceflight mission, Lai Ka-ying of the Shenzhou XXIII mission, extended her National Day blessings to the country via a video. She wished the nation, and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, prosperous development, along with the steady and enduring implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.

“Gazing at Earth from the space station, that brightly lit land is the motherland we long for day and night,” Lai said. She added that taking part in the  crewed space mission gave her a profound sense of the nation's soaring strength, emphasizing that its full support is the strongest backing and greatest source of confidence for Hong Kong and Macao.

The flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China is being held at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, attended by community leaders and members of uniformed groups.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com