Hong Kong leader pledges to align city's development with national strategy at Basic Law anniversary seminar
Hong Kong's Chief Executive said the Basic Law, promulgated 36 years ago, enshrines 'one country, two systems' and underpins the city's stability. He announced the city's first five-year plan to align with national development, leveraging Hong Kong's rule of law and global connectivity.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive on Saturday said the Basic Law, promulgated 36 years ago, has ensured the successful implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle and laid the foundation for the city's long-term stability and prosperity. Speaking at a seminar marking the anniversary, he stressed that Hong Kong must proactively integrate into and serve the nation's development.
The Chief Executive noted that the Basic Law, together with the national constitution, forms Hong Kong's constitutional basis. He recalled that since the reform and opening-up period, Hong Kong has contributed capital, technology, talent and international networks to the country's development. Major initiatives such as the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the individual visit scheme and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have expanded opportunities for the city, he added.
He said the government has published 'Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan' to proactively align with national development strategies. Under 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong will leverage its unique advantage of being 'backed by the motherland and connected to the world' to contribute to national rejuvenation, he said.
The Chief Executive highlighted that the rule of law, established by the Basic Law, is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's high-quality development. He noted that Hong Kong continues to rank among the top globally in the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index. As the only common-law jurisdiction in the world with both Chinese and English as official languages, Hong Kong will strengthen its status as an international financial, shipping and trade hub to inject momentum into national development, he said.
He called on all sectors to work together to open a 'brilliant new chapter' for the country and Hong Kong, expressing confidence that the Basic Law will enable the city to 'ride the wave and break through the waves'.