Xi Jinping gives a speech following a swearing-in ceremony to inaugurate the city's new leader and government in Hong Kong, China, July 1, 2022. - Reuters
HONG KONG (China Daily/Asia News Network): President Xi Jinping hailed Hong Kong's irreplaceable contribution to the motherland as he iterated the success of the "one country, two systems" principle in his speech in Hong Kong on Friday (July 1) at 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 (HKSAR).
Xi stressed the need to fully and faithfully implement the "one country, two systems" policy, saying the success of the practice had been recognized and there is no reason to change such a good system and it must be adhered to over the long run.
Upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the paramount principle in the policy. On the basis of this prerequisite, Hong Kong and Macau maintain their capitalist system over the long run and enjoy a high degree of autonomy, he said.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, noted that the success of the implementation of "one country, two systems" has been recognised and there is no reason to change such a good system and it must be adhered to over the long run.
Delivering a speech at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Xi said since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has become an integral part of the country's overall development and actively aligned with national development strategies, noting how it has continued to maintain the strengths of being highly free and open and compatible with international rules.
Before delivering the speech, Xi administered oath of office to the sixth-term Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu as well as principal officials of the sixth-term HKSAR government.
He emphasised on Friday the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong."
To keep the power to administer the HKSAR firmly in the hands of patriots is essential for safeguarding the long-term stability and security of Hong Kong, Xi said.
"At no time should this principle be allowed to be compromised," Xi said.
It is imperative to ensure both overall jurisdiction by the central authorities and a high degree of autonomy in the SAR, Xi said.
"Enforcing the central authorities' overall jurisdiction and upholding the SAR's high degree of autonomy are integral aspects of the same policy, and only by ensuring both can we run the SAR truly well," Xi said.
Hong Kong has enjoyed true democracy since its return to the motherland, the president said, pointing out that the democratic system of the HKSAR, which conforms to the "one country, two systems" policy and Hong Kong's constitutional status, is conducive to safeguarding the democratic rights of Hong Kong residents and maintaining prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.
Extending cordial greetings to all Hong Kong residents, Xi said, "I also express heartfelt appreciation to all fellow Chinese, both at home and overseas, and foreign friends for their support for the cause of 'one country, two systems' and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."
The national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played and sung during the events at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
