President Xi Jinping yesterday stressed upholding and improving the policy of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ in his speech at the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
He also signalled there would be no immediate loosening of his zero-Covid strategy, declaring it to be a “people’s war to stop the spread of the virus”.
“The policy of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has proven to be the best institutional arrangement for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao after their return to the motherland,” said Xi.
“This policy must be adhered to over the long term.
“We will fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the policy of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao.
“We will ensure that the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the two regions. We will see that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots.
“We will support Hong Kong and Macao in growing their economies, improving their people’s lives, resolving deep-seated issues and problems in economic and social development, and promote long-term prosperity and stability in the two special administrative regions.
“We will support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating themselves into China’s overall development and playing a greater role in realising national rejuvenation.”
Hong Kong’s sovereignty reverted to China in July 1997 and the administration of Macao in December 1999.
The Chief Executive of Macao, Ho Iat Seng, said that the reference to Macao in president Xi Jinping’s speech shows the great importance and attention given by the central government to the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle with Macao’s own characteristics, which encourages local compatriots to have confidence in the city’s development.
