Hong Kong politicians and legislators said on Tuesday the city’s sustained prosperity in the past 28 years is clear evidence of the success of “one country, two systems”.
Their views were expressed in congratulatory messages marking the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
In a social media post, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki pointed to the special administrative region’s remarkable resilience.
Reflecting on the past quarter of a century, he said Hong Kong had faced unprecedented challenges – from the 2019 social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic to the global geopolitical tensions and economic volatility.
“Every step in our development has been hard won,” he wrote.
Chan attributed Hong Kong’s ability to overcome these difficulties to the enduring vitality of “one country, two systems”, as well as the central government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
Political parties emphasized the importance of stability, deeper integration into national development and seizing new opportunities under the “one country, two systems” framework.
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The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong – the city’s biggest political party – said it hopes the city will continue to advance steadily with the country’s strong support, and further integrate into national development.
The Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong highlighted Hong Kong’s steady growth over the 28 years under “one country, two systems”. It pledged to boost the economy, improve livelihoods and work with residents in building a better future.
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions vowed to support the HKSAR government’s law-based governance, promote national integration, and leverage the opportunities offered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s development to achieve greater prosperity.
Stanley Ng Chau-pei, a legislator and member of the Executive Council, praised the world-recognized success of “one country, two systems”, saying that Hong Kong is poised to make greater contributions to the nation’s rejuvenation.
Lawmakers Yeung Wing-ki, Leung Man-kwong, Cheung Hiu-yeung and Lam So-wai said the “Pearl of the Orient” is entering a new era of prosperity.
They cited Hong Kong’s key achievements – the city’s recognition as the world’s freest economy; the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation headquarters in the city; and the growing influx of talent and innovation-driven development.
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Sunny Tan, chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, pledged to leverage Hong Kong’s global connectivity to strengthen industry ties through international fashion events, strengthen the city’s brand, and support national internationalization efforts.
