Key speech boosts hope in future of Hong Kong

Various sectors of Hong Kong on Friday said that President Xi Jinping's important speech put Hong Kong's future at ease as the "one country, two systems" principle, which gives the city its uniqueness, is here to stay.

Addressing a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Xi said "one country, two systems" has enabled Hong Kong to achieve great success and there is no reason to change such a good system and it must be adhered to over the long run.

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said Xi's speech reassured Hong Kong and the world that "one country, two systems" will be upheld unswervingly.

Lau said Xi also pointed out that the goal of "one country, two systems" is to serve the fundamental interests of the country and the Hong Kong SAR.

It requires Hong Kong people to strengthen their national identity, respect order under the Constitution and the Hong Kong SAR's Basic Law, and refrain from engaging in activities that endanger national security, Lau added.

Hong Kong's largest political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, called Xi's speech inspiring, saying that it plays a farsighted guiding role in implementing "one country, two systems" and promoting the city's social prosperity, stability and welfare.

Xi's speech cleared doubts and misunderstandings about the city's future while further strengthening local communities' confidence in the city's future, the party said in a statement.

Also, the party believes that implementing "one country, two systems" will help Hong Kong achieve greater success and significantly contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Legislator Kenneth Fok Kai-kong called the president's speech a "booster" as it sets the direction of the city's development.

Fok also said the president's speech expressed great care for the people of Hong Kong.

To live up to this sincere care and support, the city should redouble its efforts to ensure a better life for its residents and serve the country's needs in more respects, he added.

Lawmaker Edward Leung Hei said Xi's visit to Hong Kong showed the central government's confidence in the Hong Kong SAR's anti-pandemic efforts, which gave him hope that Hong Kong could resume quarantine-free travel to and from the mainland under the leadership of the new government.

In addition, Xi also stressed the need to help Hong Kong youth overcome difficulties in education, employment, starting businesses and buying homes, as well as create more opportunities for them.

Joseph Chan Hoi-wing, president of the Hong Kong Youth Association, said he was heartened when the president stressed the importance of assisting young people in Hong Kong.

Angus Ng Hok-ming, chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, pledged to make greater efforts to live up to Xi's expectations, vowing to launch more youth projects and offer diversified platforms for youngsters to chase their dreams in the GBA.