HKSAR Chief Executive-designate John Lee Ka-chiu attends the Bauhinia Culture International Forum at Grant Hyatt Hong Kong in Wan Chai on June 16, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
With “one country, two systems” as the governing principle, chief executive-designate John Lee Ka-chiu on Thursday charted out the key areas his incoming administration will focus on in leading Hong Kong advance to prosperity.
Lee said the sixth-term government will focus on the Basic Law and the legal system, the National 14th Five-Year Plan and Greater Bay Area, and the economy and people's livelihood, following President Xi Jinping’s advice to put the people first.
Chief executive-designate John Lee Ka-chiu said the implementation of “one country, two systems” is the “special and enlightened arrangement” that has guided the city’s progress since 1997
“As President Xi said on the occasion of the Hong Kong SAR's 20th anniversary, ‘It is important to put people first, help them overcome difficulties, especially address prominent economic and livelihood issues that people are concerned with. And truly increase their sense of contentment and happiness,’" Lee said.
“This paramount principle is the guidance for the sixth-term government, which will put priority on deep-rooted issues such as housing, healthcare, youth development and more. We will do so with dispatch, with determination and with readiness to make changes,” he added.
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Lee made the remarks at the Bauhinia Culture International Forum, which had the theme “One country, two systems: achievements and prospects”. The event was held by Bauhinia Culture Holdings Ltd in Hong Kong.
Lee said the implementation of “one country, two systems” is the “special and enlightened arrangement” that has guided the city’s progress since 1997.
Over the past quarter-century, the city’s legal system is “the critical underpinnings” of the “one country, two systems” foundation, Lee said.
According to the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, Hong Kong ranks second in Asia in terms of the rule of law.
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“Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction in China. Our commitment to the rule of law, to judicial independence, is unassailable,” he said. “It is the key to the confidence in Hong Kong, and our long-term prosperity and stability as an international financial and investment center.”
Speaking at the same forum, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the “one country, two systems principle” has stood the test of time and overcome many challenges.
“It is a pioneering initiative that has no precedent to follow. Its application entails an evolving process,” she said.
Hong Kong has been facing unprecedented challenges over the past few years. Without the central government’s intervention and support, “one country, two systems” could have been derailed and the government paralyzed, Lam said.
“Hong Kong is now back on track, entering a new era of stability, prosperity and opportunity,” Lam said. She said she believes that Hong Kong will enjoy greater political and economic stability.
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The governing principle is not only the best solution to the Hong Kong’s historical problems, but also the best institutional arrangement to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of the city after the handover, said Huang Liuquan, deputy head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.
Meanwhile, Liu Guangyuan, the commissioner of China’s Foreign Ministry office in Hong Kong, said the city has “transformed from chaos to stability, and is at a critical stage for greater prosperity and effective governance.”
“With a fresh look of great confidence, openness, inclusiveness and vitality, Hong Kong has proved to the world that ‘one country, two systems’ is feasible, workable and popular,” Liu said.
suzihan@chinadailyhk.com