On July 6, the Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR held a briefing on President Xi Jinping’s important speeches on the 25th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. Commissioner Liu Guangyuan delivered a keynote speech. The briefing was attended by Mr Yin Zonghua, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and more than 100 representatives from foreign consular missions, international organizations, chambers of commerce and media outlets in Hong Kong.

Commissioner Liu Guangyuan, based on the international community’s major focal points about President Xi’s inspection tour to Hong Kong, briefed the audience on the significance of President Xi’s visit, the core tenets of President Xi’s speech at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the HKSAR, and the major opportunities ahead for the international stakeholders in Hong Kong.

Commissioner Liu Guangyuan pointed out that Hong Kong is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland and is at a critical state of moving from chaos to stability and then to greater prosperity. President Xi’s visit at such a crucial moment amid the epidemic reflects the high importance President Xi attached to Hong Kong, brought confidence and energy to Hong Kong society, and injected vitality and impetus into the practice of “one country, two systems”. President Xi spoke highly of Hong Kong’s great achievements in practicing “one country, two systems”, declared that the central government will adhere to this policy over the long run, expressed the central government’s readiness to fully support Hong Kong’s development, and put forth a few hopes for Hong Kong’s effective governance. Many statements in the speech are the further development of the theories of “one country, two systems”, have milestone significance, and will have profound impact on the cause of “one country, two systems”.

First, President Xi’s declaration of long-term commitment to “one country, two systems” is a calming pill for the international community and all sectors in Hong Kong. President Xi’s statement of “there is no reason to change such a good system of 'one country, two systems' and it must be upheld over the long run” is the most definitive answer to the important question of how long “one country, two systems” will last. This clear declaration greatly enhanced the confidence of the international community in the policy of “one country, two systems”. Those who fear possible changes to this policy can stay assured, and those who scold and smear the policy can stop. 

Second, President Xi summed up the rules and valuable experience from the practice of “one country, two systems” in his speech, which serve as a beacon light for Hong Kong’s development in the right direction. In his speech, President Xi used four points to expound why the practice of “one country, two systems” was a success in the past and how to achieve greater success in the future. The business community and other sectors widely welcomed President Xi’s statements of “ Hong Kong’s fundamental interests are consistent with the fundamental interests of the country, and the heart of the central government and the heart of the Hong Kong compatriots always beat together. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and strengths on a long-term basis, in consolidating its role as an international financial, shipping and trading center, in maintaining its free, open, and sound business environment, in retaining its common law system, and in expanding smooth and convenient linkages with the rest of the world” and “enjoying the backing of the motherland while staying connected with the world is a notable strength of Hong Kong, a strength cherished by not only Hong Kong residents, but also the central government”.

Third, President Xi’s hopes for the new SAR government and all social sectors in Hong Kong are a “golden key” to Hong Kong’s sound governance. President Xi’s hopes have pointed out the direction for the new SAR government to rally and lead all social sectors to solve the most pertinent, prominent and pressing issues in today’s Hong Kong in accordance with law. Hong Kong citizens, especially young people, were uplifted by President Xi’s speech and have more passion to make greater contributions to Hong Kong.

Commissioner Liu Guangyuan pointed out that President Xi’s speeches boosted the confidence of Hong Kong society and the international community in Hong Kong’s future. International stakeholders should seize the great opportunities from Hong Kong’s development. First, there will be major opportunities brought about by high-quality development of the Chinese mainland. Hong Kong is strong and prosperous only when the motherland is strong and prosperous. The sustained and rapid development of the country provides rare opportunities, a major driving force and broad space for Hong Kong’s development. China has the foundation and strength of stable economic development and has the driving force and space for further economic growth. Hong Kong is like a window and a train station. Through this window, the international stakeholders based in Hong Kong can reap benefits from China’s huge market; through the train station, the stakeholders can get aboard the fast train of China’s development. Second, there will be major opportunities brought about by Hong Kong’s integration into the country’s overall development. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in seizing the historic opportunities presented by our country’s development and in aligning with national strategies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the high-quality development of Belt and Road Cooperation. The Greater Bay Area, an initiative planned, deployed and promoted by President Xi in person, is a vital stage for Hong Kong to integrate into China’s development. By integrating into the Greater Bay area, Hong Kong could better play its role as a window to bring in more capitals into mainland China and as a bridge to help mainland investors go global. In this way, Hong Kong will promote the circulation of production factors and market connectivity between China and the world, and attract more global investment. Third, there will be major opportunities brought about by Hong Kong’s own reform and development. President Xi’s speeches encouraged all sectors in Hong Kong to seize strategic opportunities and focus on development so as to fully unleash the enormous creativity and development vitality of Hong Kong society. The SAR government has put forward a new development paradigm with a South-North dual engine, and the development of the northern metropolis will be the second largest growth driver of Hong Kong’s economy. We believe that the SAR government will be able rally and lead all social sectors to start a new chapter for Hong Kong’s good governance, achieve new development in the next five years, and deliver more benefits to Hong Kong residents and international stakeholders.

Commissioner Liu Guangyuan emphasized that foreign residents in Hong Kong are beneficiaries of “one country, two systems” and stakeholders of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. The sustained implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy and lasting prosperity and stability of Hong Kong serve the greatest interests of all people. It is hoped that the guests will see “one country, two systems” as a whole and understand this policy more accurately, have a deeper understanding of Hong Kong society, mainstream public opinion, Basic Law, and the historical practice of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, and correctly understand the central government’s policies towards Hong Kong, and respect and support efforts made by China to ensure the sustained success of “one country, two systems”. It is hoped that the guests will present the vibrant and promising Hong Kong to the world in a more objective way, develop a strategic vision and stay level-headed, see clearly who truly wants Hong Kong to further develop and who aims to destabilize Hong Kong, build up confidence in Hong Kong’s future, and present the real Hong Kong to different governments and countries. It is hoped that the guests will protect the common homeland of Hong Kong and make it a better place, cherish Hong Kong’s unique advantages, make good use of Hong Kong’s broad stage, actively explore new opportunities of Hong Kong, stand on the side of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong people who seek stability and development, stand on the historical trend of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, stand on the side of international fairness and justice, and do more things that can promote friendly exchanges between Hong Kong and foreign countries.

Participants acclaimed the great significance of President Xi’s visit to Hong Kong, spoke highly of the success of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, and agreed that the briefing enhanced their understanding of the core tenets of President Xi’s speeches. In an interview after the briefing, some foreign consuls-general and heads of chambers of commerce in Hong Kong said that President Xi’s speeches boosted their confidence in the sustained success of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s bright future. They said that enjoying the backing of the mainland while staying connected with the world is a notable strength of Hong Kong, and they believe that Hong Kong will maintain long-term prosperity and stability and become more competitive and attractive.