Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addresses a session on the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong, Oct 28, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

HONG KONG – The Civil Service Bureau of Hong Kong on Friday held a session on the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu presenting a keynote.

The session, held at the Central Government Offices, aims to enable participants to have a deeper exploration and understanding of the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the positioning and role of Hong Kong.

The weeklong congress, which concluded on Oct 22 in Beijing, approved a report presented by General Secretary Xi Jinping on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which stressed that the “one country, two systems” principle is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

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Addressing Friday’s session, the Hong Kong leader said the 20th National Congress has conducted a thorough review of the party's major achievements and invaluable experience in the new era, providing in-depth analysis on the international and domestic development, and formulating an action plan for the next five years’ development.

It (Xi Jinping’s report) is an important guide for Hong Kong to promote a transition from chaos to order, and now advancing from stability to prosperity.

John Lee, Chief Executive, HKSAR

It drives planning and deployment for the country’s endeavors from a strategic perspective, bearing profound immediate importance and milestone historical significance, said Lee.

The 20th CPC National Congress report highlighted the advancement for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, he said.

It provided a systematic elaboration on the new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies on the “one country, two systems” principle, mentioned the support for Hong Kong in growing its economy, improving people’s livelihood as well as resolving deep-seated issues and problems in economic and social development.

The report also outlined giving full play to Hong Kong’s strengths and distinctive features for better integration into China’s overall development, said Lee.

It is an important guide for the city to promote a transition from chaos to order, and now advancing from stability to prosperity, he said. 

“An accurate understanding on the essence of the 20th National Congress would help facilitate our understanding of our country’s policies and the steady and successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’, so that we can better leverage on our strengths and characteristics for a better Hong Kong.”

Lee expressed his hope that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s top echelons and civil service could have an in-depth understanding of the spirit of the 20th National Congress.

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They should also continue to adopt the “four musts” and the “four proposals” raised by the Party general secretary as a governance blueprint in contributing to the country and Hong Kong with their strengths, he added.

The session was attended by over 130 participants, including Secretaries of Departments, Deputy Secretaries of Departments, Directors of Bureaux and other Principal Officials, Members of the Executive Council, and Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung told participants that the positioning of the Hong Kong SAR in the country is based upon the city’s edge, and it should better integrate itself into the country’s overall development.

She expressed hope that the Heads of Departments would encourage colleagues to learn more about the country, adding that the Civil Service College will also organize training programs on contemporary China and the holistic view of national security.

More than 130 officials comprising Secretaries of Departments, Directors of Bureaus, Executive Council members, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments attended the session.