Liaison chief 's expectations for New Year inspire HK politicians
By GANG WEN in Hong Kong
China Daily
1612743626000

Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong, July 14, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

Major political figures in Hong Kong said the New Year expectations expressed by the liaison chief between the special administrative region and the mainland shed light on the future implementation of "one country, two systems" as well as improvements in the city's economic and social development.

And they expressed similar aspirations for the SAR's implementation of the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" and improving livelihood issues.

At the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Lunar New Year reception on Friday, Luo Huining, director of the office, said he expected the city to uphold the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" to ensure the bottom line of "one country" is being firmly held so that the city can enjoy prosperity, lasting peace and stability under the "two systems".

Luo said he expected "bigger steps will be taken to develop Hong Kong's economy and improve the livelihoods of Hong Kong residents".

Tam Yiu-chung, a Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said that Luo's views have reflected the real situation in Hong Kong and pointed to key areas that should be the focus of the SAR government's work in the coming year.

Tam expected the SAR would come up with phased measures to implement the "patriots governing Hong Kong" principle, following its recent requirement that civil servants swear their allegiance to the HKSAR and to uphold the Basic Law.

Through Luo's speech, Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy director of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee, said she felt confident that Hong Kong will have unlimited opportunities and more room to develop under its unique political system, as long as it acts in accordance with the Basic Law and can ensure national sovereignty, national security, development interests and territorial integrity.

She believed that Hong Kong will have a bright future as it further consolidates its "intermediary" role in the country's international circulation while maintaining stability with the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

Ng Leung-ho, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said Luo's observation deserved the local community's attention because it offers a clear answer to the question "what will happen next for Hong Kong".

Luo's remarks not only accurately summed up the essential features of the recent situation in Hong Kong, but also revealed the right direction to make Hong Kong a "better home "for local residents, Ng said.

Wong Kwok, another member of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said Luo's judgment was right to permit no delay for Hong Kong to pursue economic recovery and the resolution of social problems.

He noted that the liaison chief has reached out to the grassroots and gathered their opinions.

Xu Tianmin, a Hong Kong resident of a subdivided flat in Sham Shui Po, told China Daily he believed that most in Hong Kong would see the differences between the "concerns" expressed by the central government and those by foreign politicians about Hong Kong.

The central government cares about the practical difficulties Hong Kong people encounter and has spared no effort in taking action to help solve them, Xu said, while the foreign politicians don't care.