Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, delivers a speech via video conference at the International Forum on Progress Through Collaboration — Connecting the world: Hong Kong’s New Opportunities and New Future, which was held both online and in person by local think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation on April 17, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, on Monday sounded a resolute note on the central government’s adherence to the “one country, two systems” principle implemented in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 

Zheng delivered the opening speech at the International Forum on Progress Through Collaboration — Connecting the world: Hong Kong’s new opportunities and new future, which was held both online and in-person by local think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation.

Zheng said the central government “fully supports” Hong Kong in maintaining a common law system and maintaining a close connection with the world’s rule-of-law governance and market systems

“Regardless of how the times and global landscape changes, our steadfast adherence to ‘one country, two systems’ is unwavering, … our determination to support Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and advantages is unwavering,” Zheng said.

READ MORE: “One country, two systems” unleashes vitality in HK’s development

“Hong Kong should maintain its characteristics of the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, keep the horse running, dancing, investing in stocks, speaking foreign languages, and having foreign names, to take the road of internationalization,” he said.

Zheng noted that as Chinese modernization has progressed, the central government has “granted Hong Kong an even more important role and mission than before, elevating the prominence of Hong Kong’s unique position and advantages” as a gateway of connecting to the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. 

“Hong Kong’s significant advantage of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world will be further emphasized and enhanced as China promotes high-standard opening-up to the outside world,” he said. 

Zheng said the central government “fully supports” Hong Kong in maintaining a common law system and maintaining a close connection with the world’s rule-of-law governance and market systems.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers a speech via video conference during the  International Forum on Progress Through Collaboration — Connecting the world: Hong Kong’s New Opportunities and New Future at the Conrad Hong Kong on Apr 17, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

He highlighted the significance of renminbi internationalization, which brings opportunities to Hong Kong’s financial sector. 

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki also attended the forum. 

“The ‘one country, two systems’ principle is Hong Kong’s inspired means of making an indispensable contribution to the country as well as the international community,” Lee said.

READ MORE: Sustainability of 'one country, two systems' policy is assured

Hong Kong will continue to enhance its status as “an international financial center that includes building on our strengths as the world’s largest offshore renminbi center, international asset management center and risk management center”, he added.