An Ode to the Pearl of the Orient and

Blessing to the Descendants of the Dragon?

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Opening Speech at the 2024 Spring Reception Hosted by

the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in

the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

(January 30, 2024)

Zheng Yanxiong

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The Honourable Vice-Chairman Leung Chun-ying,

the Honourable Chief Executive John Lee,

distinguished guests and friends,

　　Good evening.

　　In ten days’ time, we will enter the Year of the Dragon. Today, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) is pleased to celebrate the New Year with our fellow friends. On behalf of the LOCPG, I would like to extend my best wishes to you all, as well as my warmest greetings to the people of Hong Kong.

　　The year 2023 is a significant one for both the Party and our country. It is the first year for our country to implement the spirit of the Party’s 20th National Congress. In 2023, General SecretaryXi Jinping was unanimously elected as the President of the People’s Republic of China and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, leading the Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to steadfastly pursue modernisation. In 2023, our country heralded the launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft and a series of scientific breakthroughs. With new innovation and development, China’s economy became more resilient against challenges. In 2023, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran issued a joint trilateral statement. The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing was well received. The Asian Games and the World University Games were great successes. These major accomplishments have come together to form a dazzling Chinese moment.When the world remains unsettling upon gradual recovery from the pandemic, the strong governance, benevolence and wisdom of China stand out clearly. We are proud of our flourishing motherland and confident in the bright prospects for Chinese modernisation.

　　The year 2023 is an extraordinary and challenging one for Hong Kong likewise. President Xi Jinping’s reply letter to students of Pui Kiu Middle School inspired the passion and love for our country among young students at large and rejuvenated Hong Kong. With the strong leadership and support of the Central Government, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his governing team shouldered responsibilities and delivered good results. They steadfastly led Hong Kong in seizing new opportunities and scaling new heights. The three-year-long epidemic ended. The Hong Kong society resumed full normality. Hong Kong resumed normal travel with the Mainland as well as rest of the world and hosted a number of international trade and cultural events, thereby returning to the world stage. Having got rid of political and social disorder, the city had an uplifting Year of the Rabbit. Hong Kong athletes achieved a record haul of 53 medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. National space heroes and our country’s C919 passenger jet visited Hong Kong so that people here could embrace the Chinese Dream. Having done away with the myth of pan-politicisation the city successfully held the seventh District Council Ordinary Election under the improved electoral system. The principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” was fully implemented. Grassroots governance was further improved. All these milestones showcased the strong governance of Hong Kong. The city’s economic downturn ended. Over 100 standards for common use in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area were implemented. Large numbers of enterprises and talent came to Hong Kong. A series of initiatives to improve people’s livelihood were introduced. With all these important changes, Hong Kong is no longer turbulent. It has started a new chapter of prosperity.

　　Distinguished guests and friends!

　　With Hong Kong entering the new chapter of prosperity amid the ever-changing world, we are welcoming the Year of the Dragon. As a spiritual totem of the Chinese nation, the dragon represents promising visions. In the last Year of the Dragon, the Party’s 18th National Congress was held. The Party’s Central Committee led by Xi Jinping built on past successes and ushered in a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China has since been forging ahead like a roaring dragon. Our country’s reform and open policy framework has been restructured; the economic development has become more high-quality-oriented and efficient; innovation and technology have advanced; the goal of eradicating poverty has been achieved; ecological civilisation has been practised to protect lucid waters and lush mountains; progress has been made in risk prevention and control; the Belt and Road Initiative has benefitted the world; the Chinese people have become more confident in their cultures; national security and social stability have been safeguarded; the people’s standard of living has been raised; and the rigorous self-governance of the Party has promoted a culture of integrity. All these achievements of China have won praise and admiration from around the world. In another Year of the Dragon ahead, we remain confident and forward-looking. We firmly believe that the New Year ahead will bring us good fortune and foster Hong Kong’s advancement from stability to prosperity. Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend three best wishes associated with the dragon to Hong Kong and its people.

　　May I wish Hong Kong a dynamic Year of the Dragon, in which reform bears fruit and economy prospers. The dragon is good at seizing opportunities and adapting to changes. Ancients longed to "ride the dragon and drive into clouds and mist, and go wherever they want without hindrance". The people of Hong Kong likewise have the ability to seize opportunities, and create miracles, whenever changes come. That is why Hong Kong has successfully transformed from a small fishing village into an international metropolis. Currently, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes, and Hong Kong is facing many challenges upon its development. That said, the more challenging the situation is, the more we need to look on the positive side of the issue concerned. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable; the opportunities arising from Chinese modernisation are unprecedented; and Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantages of having the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world. With such a bigger picture grasped, we can better prepare ourselves and advance despite uncertainties. As the saying goes, “When all means to an extreme are exhausted, it will give rise to a desire for change, while the change will lead to a solution and lasting stability.” In the New Year ahead, Hong Kong should resolutely align its policies with national development strategies and forge extensive international co-operation. We should not be dubious but be more confident; we should not be conservative but be more innovative; we should not be deceived but be more affirmative. With our concerted effort, we will pursue quality-driven development in place of quantity-centric development; strengthen Hong Kong’s positioning as an international financial, trade and shipping centre; and capitalise on the changes in the world to bring about benefits to the people of Hong Kong.

　　May I wish Hong Kong an auspicious Year of the Dragon, in which peace prevails and industries flourish. The dragon symbolises the unity of the Chinese nation. Throughout history, Chinese people have always taken the unity of the country and the integrity of its territory as a common pursuit. Hong Kong's smooth return to the motherland is part of this pursuit. With the implementation of the Hong Kong SAR　National Security Law as well as the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", Hong Kong has lived up to this pursuit. The next mission is to properly prosecute major national security cases and complete legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, which further embodies this pursuit. Development and security are just like the two wheels of a cart, or the pair of wings of a bird. Only in a secure environment can people steadily make a living. Only when the country is peaceful and safe can everyone succeed in their pursuits and the economy grow and prosper. In the New Year ahead, we should make it a consensus and our collective responsibility to have governance and prosperity mutually reinforcing. We should uphold the principle of “one country, two systems" and the rule of law to make Hong Kong a vibrant and diversified city, where entrepreneurs, workers, investors, people seeking co-operation, and start-ups alike can achieve their respective goals. Hong Kong will shine ever brighter as the Pearl of the Orient.

　　May I wish Hong Kong a vigorous Year of the Dragon, in which vitality blooms and culture thrives. The elements of dragon are ubiquitous in Hong Kong folklore. Traditional customs of dragon dance and lion dance can be seen everywhere in Hong Kong, showing that Chinese culture is the root and source of Hong Kong’s "Lion Rock Spirit". As Hong Kong advances from stability to prosperity, culture is a more lasting and profound power that helps foster social harmony and unity. To reinforce this power, we need to be confident in our history, exhibit greater historical initiative, and pride ourselves on being the descendants of the dragon in the Pearl of the Orient. To carry on this power, we need to vigorously promote mainstream values that highlight love for our country and Hong Kong, and align with the principle of "one country, two systems". This way, the fine traditional Chinese culture can be passed on from generation to generation. To revitalise this power, we should preserve Hong Kong's cultural capacity for self-renewal, demonstrate our value and sense of mission in the exchange of civilisations and in the course of innovation, and develop Hong Kong steadfastly into an international innovation and technology centre and an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. To make good use of this power, we need to vigorously develop cultural programmes, meet the growing cultural needs of the public, and reinvigorate the city’s cultural creativity that has in times past led to numerous classic martial arts novels, movies and pop music. Alongside horse racing, dancing and stock trading, we need to come up with more creative and entertaining offerings to light up the city’s cultural scene.

　　Distinguished guests and friends!

　　In his New Year's address for 2024, President Xi Jinping reiterated that the Central Government will continue to support Hong Kong and Macao in harnessing their distinctive strengths, better integrating themselves into China’s overall development, and securing long-term prosperity and stability. Hong Kong is our home. Regardless of gender, age, time of settlement in Hong Kong, skin colour or nationality, we are all stakeholders of Hong Kong. All of us can contribute to the city’s advancement from stability to prosperity. The responsibilities shouldered by patriots administering Hong Kong are especially great. They need to demonstrate by example that patriots are virtuous, capable, diligent and honest. They need to enhance governance, drive economic development, address people's livelihood issues, and meet expectations of all, with a view to further consolidating the mighty force that drives Hong Kong towards prosperity and making the Pearl of the Orient shine even brighter.

　　Distinguished guests and friends!

　　Over the past year, the LOCPG has received tremendous support from various sectors of the Hong Kong community. There are too many touching stories to tell and I cannot share them all with you due to time constraints. I would like to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the LOCPG, my sincere gratitude to you all and – through you – to every individual or institution that has contributed to the steady progress of implementing the principle of "one country, two systems", as well as to the prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

　　In the New Year ahead, the LOCPG, with the trust of the Central Government, shall fully implement President Xi Jinping’s important instructions and continue to serve as a "super liaison officer"; fully, accurately and resolutely implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and support the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in law-based administration; reach out to people from all walks of life and wholeheartedly serve the people of Hong Kong; and help accelerate Hong Kong’s advancement from stability to prosperity. All in all, we shall exhaust all our efforts for the steady progress of "one country, two systems" in the city.

　　Before I close, let us wish Hong Kong great auspiciousness, and everyone a peaceful, prosperous and fruitful Year of the Dragon.

　　Thank you.

　?? 附：中央政府駐港聯絡辦主任鄭雁雄發表2024年新春致辭