Social dignitaries and leaders on Sunday spoke highly of the report delivered by Xi Jinping at the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, saying it adds fresh impetus to, and charters a path for, Hong Kong’s greater development within the nation’s new blueprints.
Delivering the report at the opening session held on Sunday morning, Xi pledged full support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s moves to ensure future prosperity and stability, and spelled out expectations that the city will better address livelihood issues and integrate into the nation’s development.
Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said the central government had made great efforts in restoring order to Hong Kong following a period of chaos and instability.
He called on local society to jointly promote the steady and long-term development of “one country, two systems”, support the HKSAR government’s law-based governance and drive the city’s economic growth.
Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR, said that as a highly open and international city, Hong Kong has space to leverage its unique advantages on the nation’s new journey towards a modernized socialist country.
Aspiring Hong Kong talents in all sectors have every incentive to seize the opportunities available, develop their strengths, and share in the future prosperity and dividends of the nation, he said.
In an online press conference after the opening session of the congress, Starry Lee Wai-king, Hong Kong legislator and chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said Xi’s report is of historical significance, adding that the next five years will be a critical period for Hong Kong to break new ground and achieve further development.
She called on all sectors of the Hong Kong community to learn and understand the important messaging from the congress, and to work together to create a better Hong Kong, following the directions flagged in Xi’s report.
Besides the DAB, other major political parties including the Business and Professionals Alliance and the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the city’s largest labor group, also vowed to diligently assume their duty in promoting economic revival, and to facilitate the government in achieving good governance.
Business leader Jonathan Choi Koon-shum said Xi’s report sets the tone and provides directions for the HKSAR’s future administration.
He believes that with the nation’s full support, Hong Kong can move out of the shadow cast by the pandemic and regain its vigor and momentum.
He envisions that the city will thrive with its consolidated status in finance, shipping and trade, deeper transport connections with nearby mainland cities, fast-growing inno-tech industries, and a more open business environment, to create new success amid the nation’s fresh economic development landscape.
Leading Hong Kong scientist Chan Ching-chuen said Xi’s report illustrates the nation’s unprecedented attention to scientific development and presents a wealth of opportunities for scientists to employ and develop their talents.
Encouraging local scholars and professionals to seize development opportunities created by the prominent national strategies, he hopes Hong Kong will further leverage its strengths and address any weak links in the science industry, while deepening collaboration with Shenzhen to achieve complementary development.
Ho Kin-chung, founder and chairman of One Country Two Systems Youth Forum, noted that throughout the nation’s rapid development under the CPC’s leadership, the HKSAR has played a unique role through its close connections with the Chinese mainland and overseas regions.
To better serve to the nation’s needs in the new era, Ho hopes the city can further improve its administration, boost development momentum, and launch concrete livelihood improvement measures in land and housing and in supporting youth development.
Contact the writers at bingcun@chinadailyhk.com