On Jan 26, at the annual spring reception of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, director Luo Huining, speaking on behalf of the central government, delivered an important speech which encapsulates the central government’s vision for the future development of Hong Kong.
In his speech, Luo raised three key questions impinging on the future of Hong Kong — the implementation of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong’s economic development, and the prospects for good governance in Hong Kong. To each of them, Luo provided thought-provoking pointers.
On the future of “one country, two systems”, Luo noted that Hong Kong has entered a new phase in the remarkable journey of implementing this unique arrangement. Since the central authorities took decisive actions to safeguard national security in Hong Kong and improve the electoral system, a new political order has emerged. The revamped structure of the new Legislative Council permits more diverse representation of the people of Hong Kong, from indigenous New Territories residents, to grassroots representatives, to law, economics, and finance experts. The seventh-term LegCo got off to a smooth start. Order and efficiency were restored, and a healthy balance struck between supporting the government’s initiatives and monitoring its performance.
The world does not owe us a living. The world does not stand still and there is no room for complacency. Hong Kong risks being left behind if it does not work hard
Luo reassured Hong Kong of the Party leadership’s unswerving commitment to “one country, two systems”, despite strong hostile attempts in the past to drive it off the right course. With strong backing by the central authorities, Hong Kong has emerged victorious from the “black riots” of 2019 and the “mutual destruction” of the anti-China elements in the legislature. Hostile forces are bound to re-emerge in the future, Luo warned, but Hong Kong can rest assured of unstinting support from the central authorities. Hong Kong has a bright future under “one country, two systems” provided that Hong Kong compatriots work in sync with the nation.
Luo sounded a more somber note on the future of Hong Kong’s economic development. With the nation charging ahead on an irreversible trajectory of growth, opportunities abound for Hong Kong, but Hong Kong people must wake up to this historic opportunity and take steadfast action to integrate the region into the Chinese mainland. Despite recent setbacks, Hong Kong remains a vibrant and competitive economy and has many strategic advantages. The central government recognizes Hong Kong’s uniqueness and has provided for a special “Hong Kong role” in many areas of strategic planning. Hong Kong’s interface with the mainland will continue to expand, but Hong Kong can only take advantage of the growing connectivity if the people are prepared to cast off pessimistic sentiments about declining competitiveness and hesitation about integration. Hong Kong’s economic future will be very bright provided that Hong Kong can grasp what the nation truly needs and how it can contribute to national development leveraging its unique advantages.
Luo issued more explicit warnings about the challenges Hong Kong faces in improving governance. At this historic juncture, Hong Kong is better placed than ever to achieve good governance. Many past obstacles have been swept away and the stage is set for Hong Kong to enter a golden age of good governance. Yet to turn this into reality, certain critical systems and mechanisms need to be installed, and many deep-rooted conflicts and contradictions await resolution. Hostile forces bent on undermining Hong Kong’s stability are lurking in the shadows, and would return on any palpable sign of weakness or incompetency on the part of the SAR government. Luo cautioned that Hong Kong cannot afford to indulge in the fantasy that it could “win by lying flat”, or dodge problems by adopting a circuitous approach. The key to success lies in maintaining a revolutionary fervor and the courage to launch reform. Luo also reminded Hong Kong that success depends not only on the positive, self-motivated attitude of the government, but also on the unity and solidarity on the part of the entire community. These qualities are paramount if Hong Kong is to win its battle against the debilitating COVID-19 pandemic which has been raging for two years.
Finally, Luo reminded Hong Kong that the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao have always been very close to the heart of President Xi Jinping, a clear indication of the high-level support that Hong Kong is sure to get in case of need.
Luo’s words provide much food for thought for Hong Kong people like myself, who have witnessed Hong Kong’s economic and political transformations, through thick and thin, over the years. It may well be true that as a mature economy with the highest per capita GDP in the nation, many of us have lost the “revolutionary fervor”, courage, determination and fighting spirit of our forebears who had built and defended this city with their sweat and blood. Prosperous times have acclimatized us to a life of comfort, and a tendency to take a good living for granted. It is high time for our people to be reminded that the world does not owe us a living. The world does not stand still and there is no room for complacency. Hong Kong risks being left behind if it does not work hard to make up for lost time. We need to revamp and update our systems, retool our procedures, raise the bar in everything we do and rekindle our can-do, fighting “Lion Rock” spirit. May the Year of the Tiger refurnish Hong Kong with the courage, power, and fearlessness that the tiger is well known for, so that we can fulfil our historic task and celebrate the rebirth of China’s Hong Kong.
The author is a member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.