In the golden autumn of October, the bauhinia flowers are in full bloom. As National Day approaches, the streets and alleys of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are brimming with a strong festive atmosphere. The five-starred red flag and the bauhinia regional flag flutter in the wind on both sides of Victoria Harbour, and various celebratory activities are in full swing. This year marks the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. For Hong Kong, which is at a critical stage of “advancing from stability to prosperity”, National Day is not only a moment of nationwide celebration, but also the right time to examine its own positioning, summarize development experiences, and look forward to integrated development with the country in the future.

Hong Kong has weathered storms. With the strong support of the central government and the proactive efforts of the special administrative region government, social order has been fully restored, and the rule of law has been further consolidated. Residents can celebrate National Day in a peaceful, safe, and joyous atmosphere; this hard-won tranquility is deeply cherished. During this period, whether it is the grand flag-raising ceremony and National Day reception hosted by the government, or the cultural performances, drone shows, and Victoria Harbour fireworks display organized by civil groups, all reflect Hong Kong people’s continuously enhancing national identity and their shared aspirations for a better life in the future.

While celebrating National Day, we must be keenly aware that Hong Kong’s destiny has always been closely linked to the motherland. The “one country, two systems” framework is Hong Kong’s greatest advantage, and the country is its most solid backing. Against the backdrop of an ever-evolving global economic landscape and increasingly complex geopolitics, if Hong Kong is to maintain its status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, it must proactively integrate into and serve the overall development of the country.

This year is the inaugural year of the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). Hong Kong’s recently unveiled first five-year plan proactively aligns with national strategies to better integrate into and serve national development. A special chapter is dedicated to promoting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong can seize this opportunity to further leverage its strengths in professional services, basic scientific research, and international networks, achieving complementarity with partner cities in the Greater Bay Area. With the construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town, collaboration between Hong Kong’s higher education institutions and Greater Bay Area partner cities should be strengthened to promote the development of advantageous disciplines and scientific research cooperation, thereby facilitating the deep integration of industry, academia, and research between the two sides.

The key for Hong Kong to truly integrate into the overall development of the country lies in the next generation. Therefore, National Day is also an important opportunity to promote patriotic education and enhance the national identity of young people. Youth are the future of Hong Kong and the hope of the country. In the past, some Hong Kong youth lacked a deep understanding of the country’s history, culture, and modern development. In recent years, the SAR government has actively promoted national education, which has already achieved initial success.

Patriotic education has never been an empty slogan; it needs to be internalized in the heart and externalized in action through ceremonies, practices, and experiences. On the eve of National Day, nearly 1,000 students from universities, secondary, and primary schools in Hong Kong participated in the “Salute to the National Flag” Beijing-visiting delegation of Hong Kong and Macao youth flag-guards, demonstrating the patriotism of the new generation through practical actions.

For them, from standard foot drills and looking up at the national flag on campus playgrounds, to witnessing the national flag slowly rising at Tian’anmen Square, and even communicating closely with the People’s Liberation Army Honor Guard, every step represents a deeper understanding and feeling of the country, allowing patriotic sentiments to take root in their hearts.

This Beijing visit is a fruitful result of the long-term deepening of patriotic education in Hong Kong and Macao. The visit allowed students to step out of their campuses and head to the country’s political and cultural center. By taking part, young people not only learned the history and significance of the national flag but also deepened their understanding of the country’s history, culture, and latest developments. It broadened their horizons and allowed their patriotic feelings to take deep root through authentic experiences.

All sectors of society should organize more exchange activities. For example, organizing students to visit the Chinese mainland to witness achievements in fields such as aerospace technology, artificial intelligence, and new energy, allowing the younger generation to personally experience the rapid development of the motherland; or stimulating their cultural confidence through Chinese historical and cultural exhibitions and traditional art experiences. Only by enabling Hong Kong youth to truly understand the country’s past, participate in its present, and look forward to its future can we cultivate a new generation of builders who possess both a global vision and a deep devotion to their family and country.

Hong Kong is ushering in a golden era of “advancing from stability to prosperity”. As long as Hong Kong society unites as one, fully and faithfully implements the principle of “one country, two systems”, leverages the unique advantage of “enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world”, and appropriately positions itself in national development, it will certainly play an irreplaceable role in the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Let us jointly wish our great motherland prosperity and strength, and may the Pearl of the Orient shine even more brilliantly in the future.

The author is a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress, and a member of the Legislative Council.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.