Members of a delegation of Hong Kong lawmakers on a study tour of Beijing said they’ve gained an in‑depth understanding of the history underpinning the country’s rapid ascent, as well as the breakthroughs and accomplishments that have defined the national development trajectory in recent years.

The week‑long visit to the capital by all members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Legislative Council, which began on Sunday, is aimed at enabling them to systematically learn more about the country’s development. It’s the first such tour since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland in 1997.

The legislators attended seminars on various aspects of national affairs at the National Academy of Governance in the past few days, and exchanged views with Chinese mainland experts to obtain a deeper understanding of China’s development in the new era.

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LegCo President Starry Lee Wai-king said in a social media post on Tuesday the seminars were highly inspiring, offering a detailed overview of overall national development and concrete breakthroughs made in recent years.

She said a systematic study of the country’s guiding principles has reinforced her understanding that placing the “people first” is at the core of governance. The delegation will take this as a reminder to serve Hong Kong residents with greater dedication, helping the SAR government to address residents’ urgent needs and concerns, and enhance public well-being.

Lee also described the visit as a valuable opportunity for lawmakers to sharpen their thinking and better perform their duties under “one country, two systems”, contributing to Hong Kong’s long-term development and national rejuvenation.

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Delegation member Lam Chun-sing said the tour has significantly strengthened his understanding of the nation’s overall development and achievements. Noting that this year marks the start of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and a critical phase in Hong Kong’s transition to prosperity, he said it’s important to actively leverage the advantage of “one country, two systems”  to align with the national plan.

Lam pledged to continue fulfilling his legislative duties by reflecting public sentiment and proposing solutions to economic and livelihood issues.

Christine Fong Kwok-shan, who represents the New Territories South East geographical constituency in the SAR’s legislature, said the tour has deepened her appreciation of the “people-first” principle, which she interprets as addressing residents’ concerns and resolving their urgent needs.

Contact the writer at gangwen@chinadailyhk.com