Hong Kong and Macao will fully seize the enormous opportunities presented by the country's development, enabling residents to share more fully in its fruits by proactively integrating into and serving the nation's overall development, officials from both special administrative regions said at their respective National Day receptions on Thursday marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

“Time and tide wait for no man,” Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu said at the reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). He noted that the motherland has developed into the world's largest manufacturer and merchandise trader, and that Hong Kong must act decisively and respond to changing circumstances by formulating the five-year plan.

Adhered to the "one country, two systems" principle, the plan is logical and target-oriented. Lee said it serves as a comprehensive blueprint targeted at building strengths, overcoming weaknesses, seizing opportunities and managing threats.

The plan focuses on six themes, including the development of "four centers and one hub", namely developing into a financial, maritime and trade centers and an aviation hub, as well as an innovation and technology center and a hub for high-caliber talent, he added.

Lee noted that Hong Kong is the only city in the world that enjoys the convergence of national and international opportunities, and its unique advantage as a superconnector between the country and the rest of the world is one of the initiatives for implementing the first five-year plan.

Hong Kong's first payload specialist to take part in a manned spaceflight mission, Lai Ka-ying of the Shenzhou XXIII mission, extended her National Day blessings to the country via a video. She wished the nation, and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, prosperous development, along with the steady and enduring implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.

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“Gazing at Earth from the space station, that brightly lit land is the motherland we long for day and night,” Lai said. She added that taking part in the crewed space mission gave her a profound sense of the nation's soaring strength, emphasizing that its full support is the strongest backing and greatest source of confidence for Hong Kong and Macao.

In Macao, the flag-raising ceremony presided over by the Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai was held at Golden Lotus Square, attended by about 600 representatives across different sectors.

Subsequently a large-scale reception was hosted at Macao’s China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex.

Sam said that Macao’s development is inseparable from the motherland's care, support, and warm backing. Looking ahead, he promised the SAR will comprehensively deepen reform and coordinate high-quality development with high-level security with greater boldness and more forward-looking thinking.

President of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council Lee Wai-king, on behalf of the LegCo, wished the country prosperity and strength.

In a social media post, Lee said the Council will work together with the HKSAR government to put the five-year plan on a solid footing, helping Hong Kong better integrate into and serve the overall national development.

The flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was held at Golden Bauhinia Square outside the HKCEC in Wan Chai, attended by community leaders and members of uniformed groups.

At 7 am, central government agencies in Hong Kong — including the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (OSNS), and the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR — hosted flag raising ceremonies to mark the day.

The OSNS wrote in an article that security is the basis of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and safeguarding national security will accompany Hong Kong throughout its development. It vowed to perform its duties in accordance with the law, give full play to its functions, and safeguard Hong Kong's high-quality development with high-level security.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com