July 1 marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 24th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The five-star red flag flutters on the main buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour, and is particularly bright and dazzling against the blue sea and blue sky. A series of activities such as float parades, literary and art evenings, poetry recitations, flash singing, "Passing on the Torch" relay run, film appreciation, and light and shadow 3D Yaowei Harbor were held in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong was full of festive atmosphere. The activities with distinct themes and diverse forms have demonstrated the extraordinary course and great achievements of the CPC in the past century, enabled Hong Kong compatriots to draw wisdom and strength from history to continue to move forward, and strengthened their confidence and determination in the cause of "one country, two systems".
24 years ago, Hong Kong returned to the embrace of its mother of the motherland and opened a new chapter in history. After 24 years, Hong Kong's practice of "one country, two systems" has achieved world-recognized success and remarkable achievements. The country is the strength of Hong Kong, and it is also the strongest backing of Hong Kong. As the ruling party, the Communist Party of China is not only the founder and leader of "one country, two systems", but also a firm practitioner and defender. On May 28 last year, the Decision of the National People's Congress on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanism for Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was voted and passed, which became a turning point for Hong Kong's development to return to the right track. On March 11 this year, the Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress deliberated and adopted the "Decision of the National People's Congress on Improving the Election System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region", which is another major measure taken by the central government to govern Hong Kong after the promulgation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. Speaking of "one country, two systems," Carrie Lam, chief executive of the SAR, said that only the Chinese Communist Party, which upholds the fundamental concept of putting the people at the center and truly cares about the well-being of Hong Kong compatriots, can implement such an enlightened system.
On the shore of Victoria Harbour, the song is flying; under the Lion Rock, bauhinia spits. From a small fishing village more than 100 years ago to today's international financial, shipping and trade center, Hong Kong's development has always been inseparable from the growth and progress of the country. In the centenary of the founding of the CPC, Hong Kong has integrated its own special experience into the magnificent epic of the CPC's hundred years, the cause of "one country, two systems" has become a brilliant chapter in it, and history has verified countless times that the CPC has brought development and a happy life to the country and the people.
At the two sessions of the National People's Congress in 2021, the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Outline of Long-term Goals for 2035 specifically mentioned the two special administrative regions and planned the future development direction, which encouraged all walks of life in Hong Kong. All walks of life in Hong Kong pointed out that the new ideas and key points of system construction in the "14th Five-Year Plan" have highlighted the home effect of the national strategy, and Hong Kong's competitive advantage needs to inject new impetus at the national level in order to better play the "needs of the country and the strengths of Hong Kong" and break through the bottleneck of development.
Adhere to the foundation of "one country" and make good use of the benefits of "two systems". Measures such as the State's support for Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international financial, shipping, trade centre and international aviation hub, and its support for Hong Kong's construction of an international innovation and technology hub, can give full play to Hong Kong's advantages. Hong Kong is not only integrated into the overall situation of national development, but also contributes to the development of the country. In this process, Hong Kong will also further stimulate its own development momentum and promote better development.
The past is also a mirror of the future. Facts since Hong Kong's return to the motherland have proved that to promote the cause of "one country, two systems", we must uphold and uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China, we must constantly improve the systems and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and we must promote Hong Kong's better integration into the overall situation of national development. Not forgetting the original intention of "one country, two systems", taking Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability as the common goal, making good use of the hard-won stable and rational situation, making every effort to solve people's livelihood problems, and grasping the huge economic opportunities brought about by the 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong will surely take off again and continue to write a new chapter in the new era. (Reporters Zhou Weiqi, Zhu Dan, Jin Dong, Liu Zhimin, Ye Lili)
(Edited by Du Junshuai)