A Hong Kong resident takes a photo of the display of national and HKSAR flags on Oct 1. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Xi Jinping’s report to the 20th CPC National Congress, highlighting the importance of “one country, two systems”, adds new impetus to Hong Kong’s transition from stability to prosperity and gives direction to its future development, leaders of Hong Kong’s political parties and unions said on Sunday.
In the report, Xi said that the policy of “one country, two systems” is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics and has proven to be the best institutional arrangement for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability in Hong Kong since the city’s return to the motherland.
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 (DAB), said Xi’s report is of historical significance, setting the country on a new path and opening a new chapter.
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 (DAB), said Xi’s report is of historical significance, setting the country on a new path and opening a new chapter.
The report reflects the central government’s full support for Hong Kong, Lee noted. She believes that under the guidance of the spirit of Xi’s report, Hong Kong will achieve further development in the future.
ALSO READ: CE: Xi's report a 'stabilizer' for SAR's development
Lee stressed that the 20th CPC National Congress will set out the objectives, tasks, and policies for the country’s development in the next five years and beyond, including the continued implementation of the “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong.
The next five years will be a critical period for Hong Kong to break new ground and achieve further development, she said. Paying close attention to the Party congress can not only boost understanding of the nation’s latest blueprints, but also help Hong Kong seek opportunities for its own development, she added.
Lee called on all sectors of the Hong Kong community to understand the spirit of the congress, grasp the central government’s policy of administering Hong Kong, and understand Hong Kong’s position in the blueprint drawn up by the 20th CPC National Congress.
She also urged the community to work together to improve livelihoods, solve the deep-rooted conflicts and problems in economic and social development, promote the city’s long-term prosperity and stability, better facilitate Hong Kong’s integration into national development, and make positive contributions to the country.
Lee pointed out that the CPC has secured historic achievements over the past five years. Hong Kong people are particularly impressed by the central government’s efforts to put Hong Kong back on the right track of “one country, two systems” and ensure the principle’s steady implementation.
READ MORE: HK leaders hail milestone Party congress report
Gary Chan Hak-kan, vice-chairman of the DAB, said that he was deeply motivated by the fact that Xi highlighted the need for “telling the Chinese story”. He pledged that the DAB will continue to promote good stories about Hong Kong and its motherland in the future.
DAB lawmaker Chan Hok-fung said he was impressed by Xi’s reference to the “people-oriented government”, and urged the HKSAR government to better adhere to the principle and resolve deep-rooted problems more effectively.
Echoing comments from the DAB, the Business and Professionals Alliance (BPA) for Hong Kong said that Xi’s report has further strengthened Hong Kong’s confidence in its future development, points Hong Kong in a positive direction, and provides new opportunities for Hong Kong to develop from stability to prosperity.
The BPA calls on all sectors of the community to work together to ensure the successful implementation of “one country, two systems”, enabling Hong Kong to play a bigger and better role in building a modern socialist country in all respects.
The BPA pledged to continue actively playing its role as a representative of the professional and business sectors. It will continue to make constructive suggestions regarding different areas, especially in boosting economic development, which it regards as key to solving various livelihood issues in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU), the city’s largest labor group, vowed to diligently fulfill its duty in promoting social stability, and to facilitate the government in achieving good governance.