President's SAR tour a rebuttal to naysayers

'One country, two systems' commitment makes HK a connector of East, West

President Xi Jinping's visit to Hong Kong showed the city and the world how important Hong Kong is to the nation, and the Pearl of the Orient will continue to shine under the safeguard of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong residents of foreign origins said.

On Thursday and Friday, Xi inspected Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland and attended the inauguration of the special administrative region's sixth-term government. He delivered a vital speech on the significance of "one country, two systems" and the city's future development paths.

Business magnate Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, who was among various representatives meeting with Xi on Thursday, said the State leader's visit showed the international community how much he cares about and values Hong Kong, even though there are many doubters about Hong Kong's future around the world.

Zeman continued that Xi's determination to maintain the "one country, two systems" policy will enable Hong Kong to better play its role as a super connector between the East and the West and will serve as an international financial center to attract professionals and companies worldwide.

Grenville Cross, who was the SAR's first director of public prosecutions, said Xi has always had the best interests of Hong Kong and all of its people at heart, and his presence for the 25th anniversary is a vivid demonstration of his support for the city and a vote of confidence in its future.

Cross noted that Xi's commitment to "one country two systems" underscores the HKSAR's importance to the nation. "Xi rightly believes that, as China fulfills its ambitions and achieves its destiny, the HKSAR has a pivotal role to play, not only up to 2047, but also beyond."

With this policy, Hong Kong's legal system has flourished since 1997, which is of great significance for local people and the world of business. The assurance that the policy is to continue will enable Hong Kong to go from strength to strength, he said.

Mark Pinkstone, a veteran journalist and former chief information officer for the Hong Kong government, said although "one country, two systems" has ensured Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, the unprecedented policy has long faced doubts and many threw obstacles in its path to thwart its success.

Xi's confidence in the practice is a strong rebuttal to the naysayers and has injected new impetus for Hong Kong society to fend off any sabotage from external forces, Pinkstone said.

He said that at the behest of foreign powers, non-patriots still endeavor to destroy Hong Kong, and provocateurs still try to expand their forces to continue their dirty work. He hopes the new government can stay alert to the hazards and firmly safeguard the city's order and peace.

Oasis Hu contributed to the story.