Liaison Office director praises HK's historical role in country's development and urges city to integrate its development into the country's growth

Editor's note: The following is the full text of a speech by Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at the Liaison Office's Spring Festival reception on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018.

Honorable Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor;

Distinguished guests and friends,

Welcome to the annual Spring Festival reception held by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which is a grand meeting for the Liaison Office and our friends in all circles to gather together and enjoy friendship. At this wonderful moment of spring and joy, on behalf of all the staff of the Liaison Office, I'd like to express our sincere gratitude and greetings for the Lunar New Year to all the distinguished guests and friends present as well as 7.3 million Hong Kong citizens. I wish you happy new year, full of vigor; may you be happy and prosperous!

2017 was a landmark year in the development of our country.

In the past year, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was successfully held and attracted worldwide attention. During the meeting, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era was established as a long-term guiding principle that the Party must adhere to. The 19th CPC National Congress drew up a grand blueprint for securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, embarking on a journey to fully build a modern socialist China and realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. It made a clarion call to forge ahead along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era.

In the past year, we made steady progress in developing the economy and improving people's livelihoods with a people-oriented development, thought and a governance philosophy being better manifested. China's GDP rose to 80 trillion yuan ($12.75 trillion). This contributed to more than 30 percent of the global economic growth and made China a true locomotive and stabilizer of the world economy. More than 900 million people have been covered by social endowment insurance and more than 95 percent of Chinese people have been covered by basic medical insurance. More than 13 million new jobs were created in urban and rural areas, with the number of people living in poverty in rural areas decreasing by more than 12 million.

In the past year, we made triumphant progress in scientific innovation, stunning the world with the Chinese people's wisdom and creativity over and over again. Insight, China's first astronomical satellite, and Tianzhou-1, China's first unmanned cargo spacecraft, traveled into space. C919, China's first home-made large airliner, and AG600, a large amphibious aircraft, successfully made their maiden flights. Haiyi, China's deep-sea underwater glider, set a world record for operating depth. China's first home-made aircraft carrier was launched; the first successful test-mining of clathrate hydrates was achieved; the world's first quantum computer was made; the world's largest automated container terminal was opened in Yangshan Port. The construction of the main section of the world's longest sea-crossing project, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, was also completed. All the pillars of the country will help China become a great power.

In the past year, we showed more composure and confidence on the world stage and our international influence, appeal and ability were enhanced further. We hosted the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the BRICS summit and the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, G20 Summit and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and other multilateral diplomatic events, we conveyed an idea to build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind, promoting Chinese ideas and wisdom for the reform and development of global governance.

All the great achievements are attributed to the joint efforts and hard work of the Party, the army and the Chinese people of all nationalities led by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping. This showcases that everything done by the Communist Party of China, the world's largest political party, is to seek happiness for the Chinese people, rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and peace and development for mankind. The Communist Party of China as the ruling party of the country has won general recognition and sincere support from all Chinese nationals including Hong Kong compatriots. It has also garnered high praise from international communities.

Last year also witnessed remarkable progress in the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong. The SAR is becoming more rational and mature after it turned 20 years old; it has been encouraging positive changes to take place socially.

In 2017, General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected Hong Kong on July 1. On arrival at the airport, Xi said: "The development of Hong Kong has always been in my heart." He encouraged us to "believe in ourselves in Hong Kong and in the country". He also solemnly declared: "We should ensure the success of development on the mainland which practices the socialist system and also ensure the success of development in Hong Kong which practices the capitalist system."

All these touching words expressed General Secretary Xi Jinping's profound feelings for Hong Kong, the country and the Chinese nation, giving new mission in a new era to the successful practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong.

The report delivered at the 19th National Congress of the CPC has set "upholding the principle of 'one country, two systems' and promoting national reunification" as one component of the basic policy to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, which is of great and profound significance. This showcases not only the central government's great attention to the work on Hong Kong affairs but also its unswerving stance to consistently implementing "one country, two systems", injecting powerful and positive energy to the development of Hong Kong.

Glorious year

In the past year, leading her administrative team of the new-term SAR government, Chief Executive Carrie Lam adhered to the basis of "one country" while utilizing the advantages of "two systems". She governed the SAR proactively in accordance with the law, and promulgated a series of policies focusing on economic development and livelihood improvements. Her administration also enhanced communication with all circles of Hong Kong society and made a good start with new styles and ideas, and was given credit for this by the central government. It was also widely recognized by mainland people and praised by all circles in Hong Kong.

In the past year, Hong Kong's GDP gained a 3.7-percent growth, much higher than the average growth rate of 2.8 percent in the past decade, ranking among the best in the world's developed economies. Hong Kong's latest unemployment rate dropped to 2.9 percent - a record low for the past 20 years. Hong Kong has also been ranked as the world's freest economy for the 24th consecutive year. Hong Kong's public order and security is getting better with the latest overall crime rate dropping to a record low for the past 40 years. This makes Hong Kong one of the safest cities in the world. Harmony in a family brings success to everything. Hong Kong citizens now have more of happiness and of security, as well as more expectations and confidence in the future.

In the past year, President of Hong Kong College of Technology Chan Cheuk-hay explicitly expressed his ideas of loving the country and loving Hong Kong. Professor Tang Benzhong with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, leading a joint team from both Hong Kong and the mainland, won the first-class State Natural Science Award. Hong Kong teacher Tsang Yin-hung successfully fulfilled her dream by reaching the top of Mount Chomolungma (Everest). The Hong Kong bowling team won the first-ever gold medal at the World Bowling Championships, allowing our national anthem to echo in the arena. Wong Yat-ching, a student from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, wrote to the People's Liberation Army Garrison in Hong Kong to express her respect for its soldiers. All the touching moments convey a strong feeling of patriotism and positive energy, making us proud of the country and Hong Kong. "Happiness is achieved through hard work." All the achievements are attributed to the diligent SAR government, legislature and judiciary, to the unselfish and fearless Hong Kong Disciplined Services, and to all the 7.3 million hard-working Hong Kong citizens in particular.

Dear guests and friends,

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's opening-up and reform. Over the past 40 years, the Communist Party of China led Chinese people of all ethnic groups to strive for progress in relays, taking the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which has enabled the largest developing country to become the world's second-largest economy - which is a miracle. We are all participants in and witnesses to these glorious years. When we drink the water from a well, we should never forget those who dug it. In retrospect, the CPC Central Committee had conducted detailed research into the rapid development of the "Four Asian Tigers", including Hong Kong, before the third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee. In January 1979, a letter with reference to Hong Kong manufacturers' demands for setting up factories in Shenzhen drew the attention of Comrade Deng Xiaoping. With great political decisiveness and strategic foresight, Deng immediately made instructive comments on the letter, saying: "In this regard, I think Guangdong Province should go ahead boldly."

Looking back and forward

In April 1979, Xi Zhongxun, then first secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, became the first to make the proposal to the central government that export processing zones be established in Shenzhen and Zhuhai which are close to Hong Kong and Macao. The proposal was accepted by Deng Xiaoping, pushing open the first window for China's opening-up and reform. At the end of the year, Xi Zhongxun led an inspection team to Hong Kong, where he visited the Cheung Sha Wan wholesale markets in Kowloon, Kwai Chung container terminals, the MTR control center and financial companies, humbly asking for advice. In the past 40 years, Hong Kong compatriots have assisted the country's opening-up and reform as well as modernization by giving full play of Hong Kong's unique advantages with their wisdom, diligence and professionalism. General Secretary Xi Jinping, when inspecting Hong Kong in July 2017, said: "Hong Kong compatriots have been always taking an active part in the country's process of opening-up and reform and modernization, and have made significant contributions. The central government and all Chinese people have never forgotten this." During the great journey of China's revolutions, constructions and reform, the fate of Hong Kong has been always closely intertwined with the motherland. Hong Kong compatriots have always stood together and joined hands to advance with the mainland people through thick and thin.

Looking back and forward, the important decision made by the 19th CPC National Congress to "support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating their own development into the overall development of the country" has pointed a clear strategic direction for Hong Kong's development. At the seminar entitled "Strategies and Opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative - Leveraging Hong Kong's Advantages" held in Beijing on Feb 3, Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, encouraged Hong Kong to explore new routes, find new momentum and expand new space for its development in the process of integrating its own development into the overall development of the country.

The country's development always needs Hong Kong and will definitely help Hong Kong succeed. Chief Executive Carrie Lam also said Hong Kong will actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. I firmly believe that only if we always focus on development, which is the first task, and continue reinforcing and promoting Hong Kong's steady and positive situation, can we create a better life and further integrate Hong Kong into the country's overall development by joining hands with mainland people during the participation in and assistance to the Belt and Road Initiative and construction of a common homeland in the Greater Bay Area, so as to share both the historic responsibility of national rejuvenation and the pride of a strong and prosperous China.

Dear guests and friends,

Whether in the past with the name of Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch at Happy Valley, or now the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR at Western District, we have always been with Hong Kong and Hong Kong compatriots. The Liaison Office will serve Hong Kong people with its doors wide open just like old friends. I'd like to share with you that since the beginning of this year, we have opened a new column on the Liaison Office's official website in which our staff can share their feelings about life and work in Hong Kong. Later on, we will also organize public Open Day activities and welcome people to our Liaison Office building for a visit. Finally, on behalf of all the staff of the Liaison Office, I'd like to express our sincere gratitude to the long-term concern and support from all circles of Hong Kong! In the new year, the Liaison Office will continue performing its duties and responsibilities. It will remain loyal to the country and advance with Hong Kong. We will walk together with you, the SAR government as well as the 7.3 million Hong Kong compatriots. Let us join hands to ensure a long-term and steady development of Hong Kong in the broad avenue of "one country, two systems."

Thank you all!

Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, says the liaison office will remain loyal to the country and advance with Hong Kong.

(HK Edition 02/07/2018 page8)