On July 14, exactly six months after Zheng Yanxiong took over as director of the central government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong, he made his debut at the Legislative Council by attending a lunch hosted by LegCo President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen.
This was the first LegCo lunch attended by the director of the Liaison Office in five years. Thanks to the electoral reform instituted by the National People’s Congress in 2021, Zheng was able to deliver important keynote remarks to the 88 legislators present, who warmly welcomed him, without disruption by the feckless political antics of the opposition.
Zheng was the first native Cantonese appointed to head up the Liaison Office, and the first director who gave a formal address to legislators in Cantonese, the dialect most widely spoken and understood in Hong Kong.
Zheng began by laying out subtly, but firmly, the framework for Hong Kong’s future development. He recalled that when President Xi Jinping visited a year ago, Xi confirmed the central leadership’s unwavering commitment to “one country, two systems”. In light of the experience gained in the past 25 years, President Xi articulated a clear vision of Hong Kong’s future and injected a fresh impetus into Hong Kong’s development.
Zheng noted that, in the past year, the executive branch, the legislature and the judiciary had responded positively to President Xi’s expectations to carry out their respective responsibilities.
For the first time, the legislature studied seriously the spirit of the remarks made by Xi at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a welcome development given the importance of the Party’s vision for Hong Kong’s future development.
Zheng noted that the restructured LegCo had greatly improved its efficiency. Compared with the same period during the sixth term, the legislation enacted by the seventh LegCo rose 42 percent, and the amount of funds approved soared 143 percent.
Within 18 months, the seventh LegCo enacted not only legislation to strengthen protection of national security and implement district council reform, but also legislation to tackle long-outstanding economic and social issues. These include legislation to protect digital copyright and abolish offsetting of employees’ benefits against employers’ Mandatory Provident Fund contributions.
More importantly, Zheng sent clear messages to Hong Kong about its future role and mission during the new journey of China’s development, the prime objective of which is national rejuvenation through continuous modernization.
Zheng stressed the Liaison Office attaches great importance to the opinions of legislators as representatives of the people. Zheng said he looks forward to working with legislators in support of Hong Kong’s participation in the grand project of national rejuvenation
First and foremost, Zheng reminded Hong Kong that, as President Xi pointed out, China is facing a critical stage in its development, which is filled with new opportunities and challenges. Zheng repeated his earlier sound bites that Hong Kong stands to benefit every time a global transformation takes place. The world is at a major inflection point, occasioned by the rise of China, and the geopolitical shift that followed. The intersection of technological and industrial revolution, geopolitics and the world-shaking pandemic created the catalysts for a reordering of global interests. Zheng urged Hong Kong to scale new heights and participate fully in the new opportunities offered by the new global paradigm.
Second, Zheng urged those in charge of Hong Kong’s governance — officials and legislators alike — to pay close heed to the aspirations of the people for a better life. Hong Kong needs to make real progress in providing better housing, job opportunities, education, healthcare and other services to improve the people’s livelihoods. This is a joint responsibility of both the executive and legislative branches.
Third, Zheng reminded the legislature of its duty to grasp accurately the relationship between the executive and legislative branches. Citing a quote by Song Dynasty (960-1279) statesman Sima Guang, Zheng stressed the importance of considering different opinions before coming to a final decision, and the decision-maker accepting sole responsibility after listening to different views.
While supporting the executive-led system, legislators have a duty to monitor the performance of the government, but any criticisms must be rational and based on “hard work”, meaning thorough study. Zheng said he believed that the government would be prepared to accept such criticism.
Fourth, Zheng reminded Hong Kong that as President Xi pointed out in his speech on July 1 last year, the concept of “one country, two systems” is broad enough to accommodate and unify all Hong Kong residents, irrespective of occupations and beliefs, so long as they are prepared to support the Basic Law and local laws. All were encouraged to make the best use of their representative values and network of connections to expand the circle of support for China’s new journey.
Finally, Zheng spelled out the Liaison Office’s role under the revised organizational structure governing the work on Hong Kong and Macao. Under the Party’s leadership, support for Hong Kong has never been greater. The Liaison Office will ensure “full” and accurate comprehension and implementation of “one country, two systems”, “full” support for the SAR government, “full” support for national security and uniting all those in the patriotic camp, “full” support for Hong Kong’s advance from stability to prosperity, and “full” attention to all opinions expressed.
Zheng stressed the Liaison Office attaches great importance to the opinions of legislators as representatives of the people. Zheng said he looks forward to working with legislators in support of Hong Kong’s participation in the grand project of national rejuvenation.
Implicit in Zheng’s remarks to legislators is the importance of demonstrating the success of the “patriots only” principle of governance, and the new model of democracy for Hong Kong, based on attentiveness to the needs of the people, efficacy of governance, and checks and balance between the executive and legislative branches.
Zheng came across as sincere and pragmatic, displaying a close understanding of Hong Kong’s underlying situation. Zheng’s first LegCo address showcased the Liaison Office’s new model of support for Hong Kong, after four years of turmoil and pandemic — reassuring, inclusive, down-to-earth and confidence-boosting. It marked an auspicious start for Hong Kong’s new quest for a higher level of development.
The author is convener of the Executive Council and a legislator.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.