Hong Kong will ‘thrive like a dragon’, city leader John Lee says amid celebrations of first day of Lunar New Year

“The country’s development offers us the best opportunity. As an international city, Hong Kong also benefits from international opportunities. These are the benefits and advantages brought to Hong Kong under ‘one country, two systems’,” he said, referring to the principle under which the city is governed.

He pledged that his administration would make every effort to strive for economic development and improve people’s livelihood, such as attracting family offices and regional headquarters of foreign businesses to establish in the city.

Lee also said he expected to spend much of the holiday period working. “Spring is the time to make plans for the year. Hong Kong must work hard to catch up with time and pursue results.”

Lights shows, cosplayers: how Hong Kong’s districts are celebrating Lunar New Year

Many residents spent the first day of Lunar New Year tossing wishes written on joss paper onto a wishing tree at Lam Tsuen in the New Territories. A bazaar was also set up as part of the annual Well-wishing Festival.

Attending a ceremony in Lam Tsuen, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki noted that the coming national security legislation – as required under Article 23 of the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law – would build a more stable environment that enabled people to live more harmoniously and businesses to thrive better.

“We all should remember that Article 23 is not being used to undermine human rights and freedoms as the Western media says. On the contrary, it is used to protect Hong Kong and protect the people [so they can] enjoy the human rights and freedoms guaranteed by law,” he said.

Chan noted that the dragon represented wisdom and strength in Chinese culture. He said he expected the government, business community and the people to pool their wisdom and exert their strength to lead Hong Kong on a new journey in progressing “from order to prosperity”.