Wang Zhimin says photographic tribute is an opportunity for HK people to learn the late premier's deep commitment to their city

Editor's note: This article is a translated excerpt of Wang Zhimin's speech at the opening ceremony of a commemorative photo exhibition in Hong Kong on Tuesday, marking the 120th anniversary of the late premier's birth.

Today we celebrate the 120th anniversary of the birth of Zhou Enlai - the people's premier - and recall his extraordinary life with a grand exhibition. This faithfully details Zhou's unreserved dedication to realizing the communist ideal his whole life, and some of the most touching moments of his contribution to the well-being of the Chinese nation, including those residing in Hong Kong.

At a symposium commemorating the 120th anniversary of Comrade Zhou Enlai held on March 1 in Beijing, Communist Party of China General Secretary Xi Jinping said in his speech: "Every time we hear the name Zhou Enlai we feel warm and proud. The outstanding achievements he made in serving the Chinese people's happiness and the Chinese nation's rejuvenation are enshrined in the hearts of us all and those around the world that pursue peace and justice."

We will always remember Premier Zhou's profound spiritual connection with Hong Kong from a historical perspective and the importance he attached to Hong Kong regarding its special significance to the country. In the 1920s, when he was still a young man, Zhou came to Hong Kong three times on revolutionary missions and worked in locations such as Central and Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island, and Yau Ma Tei in Kowloon. After Japanese aggressors occupied Hong Kong on Dec 25, 1941, Zhou directed urgent efforts to secretly bring many well-known patriots and social elites out of Hong Kong to safety, including picking the safe routes and measures to help them settle down. Described by Mao Dun as the "greatest rescue mission since the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression broke out", it rescued more than 800 celebrities from Hong Kong over a period of 11 months; it helped more than 2,000 patriotic young people from Hong Kong and overseas reach the Chinese mainland to join the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

In the days when the War of Liberation was close to its triumphant conclusion, Zhou personally arranged safe trips for many leaders of democratic parties and patriotic organizations from Hong Kong and overseas to meet with CPC leaders in the liberated area in North China and discuss matters concerning national government. The meeting gave birth to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Premier Zhou also devoted his life to realizing the great reunification of the Chinese nation; we will never forget this - such as how much thought he gave about when the right time would be for China to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the best way to handle the transition of Hong Kong governance smoothly. He firmly believed in achieving the ultimate reunification of the Chinese nation. The former premier did everything in his physical and intellectual capacity to advance this great cause.

When the People's Liberation Army reached the boundary between Guangdong and Hong Kong after liberating the rest of the country, the highest decision-making core, headed by Mao Zedong, decided to "plan for the long run and make full use (of Hong Kong as it was)" instead of taking the city back from the British by force. Zhou played an important role in that decision-making process. We will always remember Premier Zhou's advice in 1956 that "maintaining the status quo does not mean hands off (Hong Kong) forever, or else we will be sorry to our descendants as well as our forefathers". In April 1957, he said at a symposium with the business community in Shanghai that "our policies on Hong Kong are different from those on the mainland"; "Hong Kong must do things the capitalist way in order to exist and develop", and "Hong Kong and Macao compatriots need not worry about their future". He also emphasized more than once: "Hong Kong is a free port and should therefore play that role well." In the 1970s he was the first senior Chinese leader to tell foreign guests and the press in public that Hong Kong was part of China's territory and the country would eventually resume its sovereign rule over Hong Kong; the question of Hong Kong will be resolved through negotiation and consultation with all parties concerned when related treaties expire in due time; China would not take any sudden action unilaterally. These comments reflected Chairman Mao's strategic thinking. This paved the way for the "one country, two systems" principle put forward by Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s.

We will always remember Premier Zhou's unconditional love for the people and his sincere dedication to leading the government in serving the people wholeheartedly. This includes his lifelong care for Hong Kong compatriots and the well-being of Hong Kong society. In the 1960s, when the mainland was plagued by widespread shortages of daily necessities caused by three years of natural calamities, Premier Zhou emphasized many times that all regional governments should do whatever they could to ensure a basic supply of daily necessities for Hong Kong compatriots, describing such efforts as "a political task". He also made the decision to supply Hong Kong and Macao with live poultry, livestock and produce onboard "three express freight trains" regularly. When Hong Kong was hit by the worst fresh-water shortage in history in 1963, Premier Zhou, after learning about the plight of Hong Kong people, immediately instructed Guangdong provincial authorities to do anything necessary to help. To ensure a long-term fresh water supply for Hong Kong, he decided to divert the Dongjiang River to Hong Kong via Shenzhen despite enormous difficulties and hardships facing people on the mainland at that time. The diversion project was completed on March 1, 1965. It began supplying Hong Kong with 60 million cubic meters of fresh water daily - accounting for two thirds of Hong Kong's annual demand.

(HK Edition 05/10/2018 page8)