The attention of the world, particularly the global media, is turning toward the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is not only a big event for China but also the world. Many Hong Kong residents, however, are largely unfamiliar with its agenda, as well as its significance and relevance to the special administrative region. Not only will the Party Congress have a deep impact on the socioeconomic development of Hong Kong, but it also closely relates to the well-being of everyone living in the city.
In his keynote address marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland on July 1, President Xi Jinping emphasized that “the central government has always handled Hong Kong affairs from a strategic and national perspective”. It is logical for one to reckon that the 20th Party Congress will shed light on the policy direction for future national development as well as for the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.
For instance, the 18th Party Congress report emphasized the need to “adhere to the one-China principle and respect the differences of the two systems, both uphold the power of the central government and ensure a high degree of autonomy in the special administrative regions, both give play to the role of the mainland as the staunch supporter of Hong Kong and Macao and increase their competitiveness”, in the chapter “Enriching the Practice of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and Advancing China’s Reunification”.
Likewise, the 19th Party Congress report reserved a chapter for the topic of upholding “one country, two systems” and moving toward national reunification, in which it mentioned the need to “improve the systems and mechanisms of enforcing the basic laws”, to “support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating their own development into the overall development of the country”, and to “give priority to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and regional cooperation in the pan-Pearl River Delta, thus fully advancing mutually beneficial cooperation between the mainland and the two regions”.
One can be pretty sure that the 20th Party Congress will provide clear guidelines for the development of Hong Kong and Macao in the next five years or beyond, for ensuring the full and accurate implementation of “one country, two systems”, as well as safeguarding the stability and prosperity of the city in the long run
Thereafter, major policies rolled out by the central authorities closely aligned with the road maps and guiding principles laid out in those two reports. The national 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) is a case in point, which explicitly states that the country has reserved a priority seat for Hong Kong on the “express train” of national development. Not only will the country continue to support Hong Kong in enhancing its traditional status as an international financial, shipping and trade center and an international aviation hub, but it also gives strong backing to the city’s drive to build itself into an international center for innovation and technology, a center in the Asia-Pacific region for international legal and dispute resolution services, and a regional center for intellectual property trade. Furthermore, it also mentioned supporting the SARs in participating in and facilitating China’s endeavor to open up fully and develop a modern economic system and build a functional platform for joint pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative, develop a high-quality Greater Bay Area, and promote the development of major cooperation platforms such as the Qianhai Cooperation Zone and Lok Ma Chau Loop.
These major policies set out the central government’s requirements for Hong Kong’s future development and offer a historic opportunity for the city to bring its socioeconomic development to a new level, ensuring its long-term prosperity and stability. They were formulated with full consideration of both the external and internal situation.
It follows that the report to be adopted by the 20th Party Congress is indicative of the course of future national development, as well as that of Hong Kong.
The implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the overhaul of its electoral system have effectively put an end to the social unrest and political chaos witnessed in 2019-20, allowing the city to refocus on economic development and resolving its deep-seated socioeconomic and livelihood problems. After all, the biggest aspiration of Hong Kong residents is to lead a better life, as President Xi put it in his July 1 speech. Whether it is housing, starting a business, education or even retirement, Hong Kong society expects the HKSAR government to demonstrate a determination and capacity in coming up with viable solutions to those deep-seated issues, so that everyone can reap the benefits of good governance.
One can be pretty sure that the 20th Party Congress will provide clear guidelines for the development of Hong Kong and Macao in the next five years or beyond, for ensuring the full and accurate implementation of “one country, two systems”, as well as safeguarding the stability and prosperity of the city in the long run.
Now that the country has achieved its first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the CPC Central Committee is expected to roll out an updated blueprint for attaining the second-centenary goal, which entails common prosperity, improving the lives of all citizens, and advancing the cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is a national project that concerns all citizens, including residents of both the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR.
The author is a current-affairs commentator.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.