Confidence vital for bright future

At a grand banquet held in his honor in Hong Kong on Friday by the special administrative region government on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the resumption of China's exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, President Xi Jinping delivered a heartfelt speech.

In addition to congratulating Hong Kong on the great achievements it has made over the past 20 years, he also extended his best wishes to the city's more than 7 million residents in their pursuit of a brighter future.

There is no doubt the road ahead will not be easy, but Xi said the central government has full confidence in Hong Kong society's ability to prevail over any adversity. For that reason he called on Hong Kong people to have confidence in themselves, in Hong Kong and in the country.