Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Monday vowed to double the government's efforts to get the city off to a new start.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor speaks at the reception in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on July 1, 2019. (Photos: China Daily)

Lam made the remarks at a reception to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the establishment of the HKSAR.

Every year, July 1 is an opportunity to look back on the past and look forward to a new year ahead for the SAR, she said.

"Serving over 7 million people in Hong Kong, we also have much to do in the future to improve people's livelihoods," said Lam.

That requires Hong Kong society to make plans together and work in concert, Lam said.

She also took note of the problems the city is currently facing, including the unstable external environment and the unsolved trade conflicts between China and the United States.

That has imposed greater downside risks for Hong Kong's economy, and the government should devote its energy to taking precautionary measures as well as making appropriate responses, Lam said.

Looking back at the past 22 years, Hong Kong has experienced some changes, ups and downs in the political, economic and social areas. Yet, Hong Kong has, generally speaking, remained stable and prosperous, she said.

Backed by the motherland and open to the world, Hong Kong has continued to leverage its unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, said the chief executive.

She elaborated that under "one country", Hong Kong has benefited from the country's reform and opening-up and has enjoyed greater room for growth and development in the areas of society, economy and livelihoods.

On "two systems", after its return to the motherland, Hong Kong is still internationally recognized as one of the freest economies in the world, with the basic rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people fully protected by the Basic Law, Lam said.

"Every one of us in Hong Kong, though holding different views and assuming different roles, loves this place and treasures our long-cherished values. I and the SAR government will double our efforts to restore people's confidence and get Hong Kong off to a new start," Lam said.

Lam assumed office in 2017 and has taken multipronged efforts ever since to tackle various issues in society in a bid to ease the anxiety in the community and pave the way forward for Hong Kong. Those well-received efforts have been made in areas such as housing, youth, education, and innovation and technology.

But the recent controversies and disputes in the community have made her reflect on her governance style, which she vowed to "make more open and accommodating" in the future.

In order to be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community, Lam said she and the government will take the lead to enhance communication with the public and the legislature.

"I know that the government has a lot to improve. We will continue to listen to the community's views and make continuous improvement to our work," she vowed humbly.

The reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center was attended by Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee; Leung Chun-ying, also vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee; and Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. Many other social dignitaries also attended the annual reception.

In recognizing outstanding individuals' contributions in the community, the chief executive has awarded a total of 399 people on this year's Honors List, according to the government's gazette released July 1.