Premier Li Keqiang said that the central government will uphold the principle that only patriots can govern Hong Kong and Macao, while reaffirming the spirit of the One Country, Two Systems principle and Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and Macao people administering Macao.
Delivering the government’s annual work report during the opening session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Li said that the central government will fully support the work of the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Region governments in accordance with the law.
“We will ensure that the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the two special administrative regions [SARs] and also uphold the principle that Hong Kong and Macao should be governed by patriots,” he said.
“And we will help Hong Kong and Macao develop their economies and improve the people’s wellbeing, and see that the two regions better integrate themselves into the country’s overall development, and maintain long-term prosperity and stability.”
Concerning Taiwan, the premier said that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should come together to advance the cause of China’s rejuvenation and national unification. He said Beijing is resolutely against pro-independence separatist behaviour and any interference of foreign powers in Taiwan matters.
Macao SAR Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng attended the opening session, The Macau Post Daily reported.
