The sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China reviewed its major achievements and historical events in the past century since the founding of the Party. The session covered the period of the new democratic revolution, the period of socialist revolution and development, the new period of reform and opening-up, and the socialist modernization, to the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
In the past hundred years, the CPC has led the country to achieve success in economic development, political construction, rule of law, cultural progress, social development, ecological preservation, national defense and military advancement, national security, and adherence to the “one country, two systems” principle to promote national reunification. The CPC has also achieved success in building a moderately prosperous society, ushering the greatest growth the country has ever seen.
By referencing past experiences we can build a better future. Under the leadership of the General Secretary of the Central Committee Xi Jinping, the CPC has launched a series of measures and efforts that have solved many deep-rooted problems never resolved in the past. This is a good reference and guidance material for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and its officeholders. In addition to understanding how the CPC succeeded, we must also figure out how to achieve success for ourselves. In the passages related to Hong Kong and Macao, two “treatments” were mentioned: treating both the symptoms and the root causes of problems, and moving society from chaos to governance. This has inspired me to ponder over the problems at hand.
After the 1997 handover, there were numerous social problems in Hong Kong. The old political system was not helpful in resolving Hong Kong’s socioeconomic problems. Instead, it led to polarization within society. As a result, Hong Kong became a battlefield for violent opposers and a diplomatic battlefield in the West’s anti-China crusade. The central authorities in Beijing have put forward a series of measures, with the goal to not only restore stability and order to Hong Kong society, but also to improve Hong Kong’s governance, solve its deep-rooted contradictions, enable Hong Kong people to live and work in peace, and build a better life together.
From chaos to governance, improving Hong Kong’s electoral system and strictly implementing the “patriots administering Hong Kong” precept are absolutely necessary. “Trying times present its problems; we are to answer the problems; and the people will review our answers.” This coming Legislative Council election marks Hong Kong’s entry into a new era. All candidates must be able to unite all factions in solving various issues that are holding back Hong Kong’s development, and to deliver actual results to the people. To pass the “test” with flying colors, we must learn to improve ourselves, to innovate, and to cope with risks and challenges, so that we can accurately handle the problems presented.
“Great chaos will bring great governance, and great governance will bring great prosperity.” In the past 100 years, the country has been an excellent problem solver for the people. Let us work together and “not forget our learnings from yesterday’s achievements, and not be afraid of our mission today, which bears the great dream of tomorrow”. Let us work together to strive for a better life for the people of Hong Kong, and to contribute to the country’s second centennial goal of development.
The author is a board member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
Gary Wong is vying for a LegCo seat through the Election Committee Constituency. To view the complete list of LegCo election candidates, pls click here https://bit.ly/3rtNdu2