This is the 1774th issue of One Day in Hong Kong
The kick-off ceremony to celebrate the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland was held
The kick-off ceremony of the celebration of the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland by the Hong Kong Celebration Committee was held today (29th) in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, kicking off the series of celebrations of "Celebrating the Return of the People's Republic with One Heart and Writing a New Chapter Together".
Source: Information Services Department of the HKSAR Government
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, said in his speech at the launching ceremony that this year marks the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which is of great significance. The country is developing rapidly and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and he is extremely proud to be a son and daughter of China. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, with the firm support of the country, the efforts of the HKSAR Government, the concerted wisdom and efforts of all sectors of society, and the hard work of the people, Hong Kong has been brave the wind and waves, constantly breaking new ground, and making great achievements for the successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
Looking back on the past year, Mr Lee concluded that Hong Kong has completed two important political tasks: on the one hand, it has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility for local legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, which was unanimously passed by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and implemented on March 23, which is integrated with the Hong Kong National Security Law to establish a shield for safeguarding national security; On the other hand, Hong Kong improved its district governance system in December last year, and the new District Councils will come into operation this year, working hand in hand with the District Committees and Care Teams to jointly build Hong Kong.
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, John Lee, delivered a speech at the launching ceremony. Shenzhen Satellite TV direct news reporter in Hong Kong Yang Zhenhua/photo
Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said in his speech that over the past 27 years, with the strong support of the Central Government and all parts of the Mainland, and with the joint efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the general public, the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong has achieved universally recognized success. We must strengthen our historical self-confidence, enhance our historical initiative, and in the midst of changes in the international situation, we must maintain our unchanged foundation, control the changes in development, and make good use of our unique advantages to welcome a new round of Hong Kong's great development and a bright future for Hong Kong.
In his speech, Cheng Yanxiong also put forward four "always believe": we must always believe that the great motherland is the foundation of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability; We must always believe that "one country, two systems" is the greatest advantage of Hong Kong's prosperity; We must always believe that high-level safety is the fundamental guarantee for high-quality development; We must always believe that the "Hong Kong spirit" is the inexhaustible driving force for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity.
Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivered a speech. Shenzhen Satellite TV direct news reporter in Hong Kong Yang Zhenhua/photo
It is reported that as an important part of the series of activities, the "Victoria Garden Celebration of the Return" activity with the theme of "Thousands of Weather to See China" will meet the audience in Victoria Park from June 29 to July 2. The exhibition area includes six themes: "Splendid Rivers and Mountains", "Cultural Tourism World", "Innovation and Technology to Rejuvenate Hong Kong", "Cool Summer", "Healthy Bay Area" and "Fragrance World", presenting the excellent traditional Chinese culture and the achievements of modern innovation and development to citizens and tourists. Sichuan, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Shandong, Shaanxi, Ningxia and other places display local characteristics and cultural tourism resources through various forms such as theme exhibition halls.
Two check-in areas are set up on site, one is the "Ancient Cultural and Creative Toys" check-in device, which is themed on ancient games and toys in the excellent traditional Chinese culture to attract citizens and tourists to play, have fun and celebrate together; The other set is a check-in device for the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, with the redbud flower as a symbol, symbolizing the close connection between Hong Kong and the motherland. Many Hong Kong citizens said that they would come every year to participate in the activities of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, and they were very excited.
More than 200 people attended the ceremony, including Dong Jingwei, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Cui Jianchun, special commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, Wang Zhaobing, deputy political commissar of the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, representatives of the Hong Kong Celebration Committee and guests from all walks of life.
The flag flutters to celebrate the return. Source: "Hong Kong 01"
It is worth mentioning that in order to celebrate the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Hong Kong SAR government also announced today that Lee Jiachao and senior officials of the HKSAR government will attend the flag-raising ceremony next Monday (July 1). The flag-raising ceremony will be held at 8am at the Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. It is learnt that during the flag-raising ceremony, the Hong Kong Police Band will play music; Led by singers Lin Jun and Yip Po Ching, the Choir of Kwun Tong Government Secondary School will sing the national anthem; The disciplined services of the HKSAR Government salute in the air and at sea.
In addition, the HKSAR Government and various sectors of the community will launch a series of activities and offers on 1 July, including free admission to five exhibition halls including the Palace Museum, free admission to the Wetland Park and a 70% discount on all-day tickets to Ocean Park Hong Kong. At 7:30 p.m. that night, the Hong Kong Kwai Tsing Theatre Recital Hall will also hold a night of golden songs, and there will also be a cultural and artistic gathering at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall to celebrate the return of the motherland, and there will be a drone show near Hai On Road on the Tsuen Wan Promenade.
Source: "Hong Kong 01"
Carnivals will also be held in various districts of Hong Kong, including about 30 stalls selling specialty desserts at Wong Tai Sin Square, as well as games and live performances. There are carnivals in places such as Ginza Plaza in Tin Shui Wai and Tin Shui Wai Park, Cheung Hang Estate, Shek Lei 2 Estate in Kwai Chung, and Kwai Shing Community Hall. In addition, to encourage the public to travel, on 1 July, the public can also take the light rail, tram and the North West New Territories MTR bus for free.
Li Jiachao talked about the experience of the second anniversary of his tenure: great responsibility and glorious mission
The current Hong Kong SAR government has been in office for two years, and the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, John Lee, posted a video on his personal social media this morning (29th) to share his experience on the second anniversary of his tenure as chief executive. In the video, John Lee, who often describes the SAR government team on a ship, chose to summarize his achievements in the last two years on the Star Ferry in Victoria Harbour.
Source: Screenshot of the video of Li Jiachao's social media account
Mr Lee said that in the past two years, he has established a "result-oriented" team to innovate and change, unite the society and build Hong Kong together. During the two years since the chief executive, Hong Kong has come out of the epidemic and ushered in a full reopening of borders. Hong Kong has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility to legislate locally under Article 23 of the Basic Law; Hong Kong has improved regional governance and implemented the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". He was pleased to see that many of the policies introduced by the current-term HKSAR Government have been more and more effective, including the issue of "subdivided units", the waiting list for public housing, the fertility rate, labour rights, the minimum wage, the "withdrawal of the property market", the attraction of investment, and "fun day and night".
Looking back on the past two years, Li Jiachao feels a great responsibility, but the mission is glorious, and the most important thing is to do this mission selflessly. He stressed that there is no best, only better. Their team philosophy is like a ship, the direction must be correct, the belief must be consistent, the speed must continue to accelerate, and the ship will move towards the goal when encountering the waves. In the future, the HKSAR Government will continue to play a good role as a stage and director to create opportunities for Hong Kong. Different industries should also play their respective roles.
"We are not afraid of challenges or difficulties, and when people have problems, we will face them and help them solve them. During the settlement period, it was like a storm coming, and the sea was not calm, but after we helped the citizens solve the problem, the sun came out and the sea surface returned to calm, just like the current Victoria Harbour, how beautiful. Li Jiachao said.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has accused the United States of slandering Hong Kong in the name of religious freedom
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government issued a statement today (29th) expressing strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the so-called 2023 Global Religious Freedom Report of the United States, which denigrates the human rights and other conditions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the name of religious freedom.
A spokesman for the HKSAR Government pointed out that the HKSAR Government strongly disagrees with and opposes the US repeating its old tactics and slandering the HKSAR through its so-called annual report and in the name of religious freedom. As always, Hong Kong residents enjoy rights and freedoms protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other relevant laws, including freedom of religion and speech. The National Security Law and the Safeguarding of National Security Ordinance also clearly stipulate that the HKSAR shall respect and protect human rights in safeguarding national security, and protect the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong in accordance with the law.
Source: Hong Kong "Point News" (data map)
The spokesman stressed that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law and has always upheld the principle that there are laws to be followed and violators must be prosecuted. The HKSAR law enforcement agencies have all along taken enforcement actions on the basis of evidence, in strict accordance with the law, and in relation to the conduct of the person or organisation concerned, irrespective of his political affiliation, background or religion. The Department of Justice of the HKSAR is responsible for criminal prosecution in accordance with the Basic Law, and all prosecution decisions are made on the basis of an objective analysis of all admissible evidence and applicable law, without any interference. The judicial organs of the HKSAR exercise their judicial power independently in accordance with the Basic Law and in accordance with the law, and adjudicate cases in strict accordance with the evidence and all applicable laws.
The spokesman reiterated that the HKSAR Government is determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, fully and faithfully implement the supreme principle of "one country, two systems", protect the legitimate rights and interests, rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and others in Hong Kong in accordance with the law, unswervingly safeguard the overall interests and long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong society, and ensure the steady and successful implementation of "one country, two systems". The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government strongly demands that the United States immediately stop its acts that are not in line with international law and basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China's internal affairs.
Author丨Qiu Yatong, the chief writer of Shenzhen Satellite TV Direct News