Hong Kong can sustain success if it embraces Beijing’s support, Zheng Yanxiong says

Lee also appeared at an event marking the beginning of celebrations for the July 1 anniversary, where the director of the central government’s liaison office in the city, Zheng Yanxiong, spoke about the value of the “Hong Kong spirit”.

Zheng said such spirit combined love for both the country and the city, self-reliance, a drive for excellence and a proactive mindset of adapting to changes.

“[This spirit] has enabled Hong Kong to overcome various risks and challenges, and achieve success after success,” he said.

The liaison office chief reminded residents that Beijing’s support would only become “stronger and stronger”, with more policies that benefited Hong Kong’s development to be introduced.

“Hong Kong is fully capable of achieving its own better development by integrating into the overall development of the country,” he said.

He noted the city had enjoyed great benefits under the “one country, two systems” governing principle, which had contributed to its unique and irreplaceable status.

Zheng said the city was now “safer, more open, more anticipated and more welcoming” thanks to the introduction of the domestic national security law.

Hong Kong enacted the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance earlier this year in accordance with Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.

The Beijing official said the people of Hong Kong had never shied away from crises and changes, nor had they feared taking risks and facing competition.

“In the midst of crisis, they will foster new opportunities; amid upheaval, they will open up new frontiers. Through innovation and creativity, they will achieve new breakthroughs and a resurgence for Hong Kong,” he said.

Zheng’s remarks were echoed in the video published by the city leader Lee on Saturday, in which he said his administration had “never been afraid of any challenges and difficulties” and always stood up to tackle problems.

“My administration operates like a ship – the direction must be correct, the beliefs must be unified, and the speed must continuously accelerate. When facing waves, we will break through them and let this ship move towards the goal,” Lee wrote in his Facebook post introducing the video.

“And I am pleased to see that many of the policies introduced by this government have become increasingly effective.”

In the clip filmed on a Star Ferry vessel crossing Victoria Harbour, Lee reviewed his administration’s work in the two years since he took up the top job in 2022, including the resumption of quarantine-free travel in the wake of the pandemic, the enactment of the Article 23 law, the establishment of community care teams and the application of a policy to ensure only “patriots” could be involved in district governance.

He also highlighted the government’s efforts to address problems in subdivided housing, with the waiting time for public housing being kept below six years.

On the economic front, Lee touched on the scrapping of all property cooling measures, which he said allowed “a significant rebound” in transactions and the stable development of the market.

The city’s hosting of more than 200 mega events throughout this year would also boost tourism and the retail sector, he said.

“Looking to the future, the government will continue to play the role of providing the stage and directing, creating opportunities for Hong Kong. Likewise, various industries must leverage their respective strengths and perform their own roles well,” Lee said.

Hong Kong will celebrate the 27th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule on Monday, with discounts at more than 1,000 restaurants and food markets, reduced-price tickets at some attractions, as well as free museum visits and tram rides.