Premier Li Keqiang’s government work report is a ray of hope at a time when the fifth wave of COVID-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine war cast a huge shadow over Hong Kong, where both international financial services and tourism play a major role in its economy.
Despite the huge negative impact of the pandemic on the global economy — especially the disruption to the global supply chains, China managed to achieve a remarkable 8.1 percent growth in GDP growth last year, which not might seem exceptional when compared with the United States’ 5.7 percent and the United Kingdom’s 7.5 percent.
However, China achieved 2.1 percent growth in 2020 when the pandemic was in full gear, whereas the US recorded a negative 3.5 percent growth and the UK a negative 9.8 percent growth. So after factoring in the base effect, China’s 2021 GDP growth was admirable when compared with that of the US or the UK.
Like the previous reports, the latest government work report summarizes the central government’s work in a 7-8-9 format: seven achievements and eight major points of focus in the past year, and nine major targets to achieve in the coming year.
It is a feat that a country with the largest population, second-largest economy, third-largest land area in the world and 56 ethnic groups has not only gone into such detailed planning but also executed its annual plan for socioeconomic development to perfection year after year. Many other countries would be delighted to be able to achieve one of China’s seven achievements each year let alone seven.
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Such a feat is the result of determination, execution power and a “no excuses approach” of the Communist Party of China under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping. The ruling Party of 95 million members strives tirelessly to serve the Chinese people and achieve the “Chinese dream” of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Of course, the Chinese people have also played a great part in the country’s achievements by responding positively to the call of the Party with strong faith in the decisions and actions of the Party. It is a relationship of mutual trust and responsibility that has driven the country to continuous success over the last 70 years.
Every province in the mainland has proactively and voluntarily offered to lend their support whether in terms of medical personnel, PCR testing or medical supplies without having been asked to. Even provinces that are very remote from Hong Kong and have little contact with Hong Kong on a daily basis have offered Hong Kong their assistance
The “no excuses approach” of the CPC, coupled with the “all for one and one for all” belief of the Chinese people, has ensured unity across society and continued victory over predicaments, challenges or disasters. A case in point is the mainland’s continued success in achieving “dynamic zero infection” in its fight against COVID-19.
Hong Kong prides itself in being one of the most efficient and well-managed cities in the world; indeed we have many edges. However, as the development of the fifth wave of COVID-19 outbreak has shown, there is much we can learn and adopt from the experience and execution capability of our compatriots in the Chinese mainland.
Hong Kong’s pandemic situation is spiraling out of control. Hospitals are seriously overloaded. Many have lost their loved ones to the virus and the losses continue to rise each day with no end in sight. Confirmed cases have topped tens of thousands daily, with experts predicting worse scenarios.
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Supermarkets are being emptied within 15 minutes of opening because of panic buying from the public. Now, the most worrying development is the suspension of some basic services of the government that are unrelated to health and safety. It is indeed a very worrying state of affairs that we are now facing.
However, we need not look beyond the mainland for help. Indeed, mainland assistance had been strong and abundant before we requested it.
In his meeting with members of the Hong Kong delegation on Sunday, Vice-Premier Han Zheng revealed to us what every Hong Kong resident should know:
Every province in the mainland has proactively and voluntarily offered to lend their support whether in terms of medical personnel, PCR testing or medical supplies without having been asked to. Even provinces that are very remote from Hong Kong and have little contact with Hong Kong on a daily basis have offered Hong Kong their assistance. Hong Kong has the full backing not just of the central government but of the 1.4 billion compatriots in the mainland.
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Han also told the delegation that the mainland has set up a three-pronged approach to help Hong Kong in its fight against the pandemic:
(a) Provision of sufficient goods and daily necessities for Hong Kong residents to help maintain social stability.
(b) Dispatchment of the best medical personnel available in the mainland to Hong Kong as it needs. The elderly are vulnerable to the virus; the central government is determined to provide all possible medical services to them.
(c) Construction of medical facilities to meet the growing needs of the pandemic situation.
Han declared that “We do not accept the death of any sons and daughters of the Chinese Nation by COVID. Every death is a great loss to us”. This is one of the most heart-touching statements that I have heard in my career and is not a declaration easily made. It reflects the central government’s concern for and determination to safeguard the 7.4 million citizens living in Hong Kong.
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It is hoped that the Hong Kong SAR government and the public can work together in this very difficult time, and everyone can put aside personal interests and beliefs for the greater good of Hong Kong society. With a strong motherland behind us and literally providing unlimited support, there really is nothing to fear except for our own arrogance.
The author is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and a co-founder of the Hong Kong Coalition.