Xi's remarks 'inspirational, spell hope for SAR'

Dignitaries from across wide sectors of Hong Kong's community on Thursday applauded the speech by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at a ceremony in Beijing marking the centenary of the CPC, saying it has shed light on the bright future of the nation, as well as the special administrative region.

Xi's remarks have further inspired Hong Kong people to continue striving for the betterment of the city, they said.

Xi, who's also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong and Macao, and the steadfast implementation of "one country, two systems" principle to the letter and the spirit, under which the people of the two SARs administer themselves with a high degree of autonomy.

Lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, who attended the ceremony in Beijing, said he was honored and excited to witness the CPC's achievements in the past 100 years.

He said Xi's speech shows the central government's care for Hong Kong and its steadfast support for "one country, two systems", adding that Hong Kong should cherish its hard-earned stability and future prospects.

Executive Councilor Regina Ip Lau Shuk-yee also praised the central government's determination to implement the "one country, two systems" principle.

"With the backing of the CPC, particularly with the enactment of the National Security Law and the improvement in our electoral system, I think Hong Kong will have a very bright future," she said.

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the city's biggest political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said Xi's remarks have given Hong Kong people a "shot in the arm".

She believes the nation and the HKSAR, with the Party's strong leadership and support, will have bright prospects.

During her short visit to Beijing to attend the Party's centenary celebrations, Lee said she's was deeply impressed by the heartfelt love and passion for the country of every Chinese, regardless of their profession. She said that's how China, under the Party's leadership, has achieved what it has now accomplished.

Lo Wai-kwok, a legislator and chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, said the president's inspiration has brought Chinese people, including the people of Hong Kong, hope and a bright future in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

He said Hong Kong's future is closely-intertwined with that of the country, and the central government has all along attached great importance to Hong Kong and provide all-around support for the city's development. The SAR, he added, should now focus on economic development and improve the people's quality of living to enable the city to regain its glamor.

In a social media post on Thursday, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said the CPC is the inventor, leader, practitioner and steadfast protector of "one country, two systems" through which Hong Kong can have a unique advantage.

He urged Hong Kong students to learn Chinese culture and history, including that concerning the centenary journey of the CPC.