The Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s Return to the Motherland and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Sixth Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held. Xi Jinping attended and delivered an important speech

Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, July 1 (Reporter Chen Jianxing, Zhu Jichai, Zhao Bo) The celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on the morning of the 1st. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, State President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that over the past 25 years, with the full support of the motherland and the joint efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and all sectors of society, the practice of “one country, two systems” has achieved universally recognized success in Hong Kong. “One country, two systems” has been repeatedly tested in practice. It conforms to the fundamental interests of the country and the nation, as well as the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and Macau. It has won the support of more than 1.4 billion people of the motherland, the unanimous support of the residents of Hong Kong and Macau, and the general approval of the international community. Such a good system has no reason to change and must be maintained for a long time.

In the venue, the atmosphere was solemn and warm. On the rostrum, the national flag of the People’s Republic of China, the national emblem and the regional flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are particularly eye-catching. When Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, accompanied by the sixth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, and his wife, Lin Lichan, entered the venue, the audience stood up and applauded warmly.

At 10 am, the celebration meeting and inauguration ceremony began. All stood up and sang the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China.

On the morning of July 1, the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, State President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended and delivered an important speech. This is Xi Jinping’s swearing-in and Li Jiachao’s swearing-in as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Peng

Xi Jinping took the oath to take the oath. Li Jiachao took the oath of office first. Facing the national flag of the People’s Republic of China, the national emblem and the regional flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he raised his right hand and solemnly took the oath in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Then, under the supervision of Xi Jinping, the main officials of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were sworn in under the leadership of Li Jiachao.

On the morning of July 1, the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, State President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended and delivered an important speech. This is Xi Jinping’s swearing-in and Li Jiachao’s swearing-in as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Haitao

Afterwards, Li Jiachao supervised the oath, and the members of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were sworn in.

On the morning of July 1, the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, State President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended and delivered an important speech. This is Xi Jinping’s supervision of the oath, and the main officials of the sixth government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are sworn in under the leadership of Li Jiachao. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi

In the warm applause, Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He first extended his sincere greetings to all Hong Kong residents, congratulated the newly-appointed sixth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, key officials of the sixth government, and members of the Executive Council. The prosperous and stable compatriots at home and abroad and international friends express our heartfelt thanks.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the civilization history of the Chinese nation for more than 5,000 years records the hard work of the Chinese ancestors in the land of Lingnan. The modern history of China after the Opium War records the humiliation of Hong Kong’s forced cession, and also records the struggle of the Chinese people to save their lives. The magnificent century-long struggle of the Chinese Communist Party united and led the people records the unique and important contributions made by the Hong Kong compatriots. Throughout history, Hong Kong compatriots have always stood together with the motherland through thick and thin, and are connected by blood.

Xi Jinping stressed that the fundamental purpose of “one country, two systems” is to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau. Everything the central government does is for the good of the country, for the good of Hong Kong and Macao, and for the good of the compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao. “One country, two systems” has been repeatedly tested in practice. It conforms to the fundamental interests of the country and the nation, as well as the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and Macau. It has won the support of more than 1.4 billion people of the motherland, the unanimous support of the residents of Hong Kong and Macau, and the general approval of the international community. Such a good system has no reason to change and must be maintained for a long time.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the rich practice of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong has left us a lot of valuable experience and profound inspiration. Only by deeply understanding and accurately grasping the practical law of “one country, two systems” can we ensure that the cause of “one country, two systems” will always move steadily and far in the right direction.

First, the principle of “one country, two systems” must be fully and accurately implemented. The “one country, two systems” policy is a complete system. Safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of the “one country, two systems” policy. Under this premise, Hong Kong and Macao will maintain their original capitalist system for a long time and enjoy a high degree of autonomy. The full and accurate implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy will create unlimited development space for Hong Kong and Macau. The stronger the “one country” principle is, the more obvious the advantages of “two systems” will be.

Second, we must adhere to the unity of the central government’s overall governance power and the guarantee of a high degree of autonomy for the special administrative regions. The central government has overall governance over the special administrative region, which is the source of the special administrative region’s high degree of autonomy. The implementation of the central government’s overall governance power and the protection of the special administrative region’s high degree of autonomy are unified and linked. Only by doing this can the special administrative region be managed well.

Third, we must implement “patriots ruling Hong Kong”. The political power must be in the hands of the patriots, this is the general political law in the world. It is an inevitable requirement to ensure the long-term stability of Hong Kong to firmly hold the governance of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the hands of patriots, and it cannot be shaken at any time. Safeguarding the right to govern means safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and safeguarding the vital interests of the more than seven million Hong Kong residents.

Fourth, Hong Kong’s unique position and advantages must be maintained. Backed by the motherland and connected to the world, this is Hong Kong’s unique and significant advantage. The central government fully supports Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and advantages for a long time, consolidating its status as an international financial, shipping and trade center, maintaining a free, open and regulated business environment, maintaining the common law system, and expanding smooth and convenient international ties. In the historical process of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Hong Kong will surely make a significant contribution.

Xi Jinping put forward four hopes for the new government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and people from all walks of life: First, focus on improving the level of governance and demonstrate a new atmosphere of good governance and good governance. The second is to continuously enhance the momentum of development and fully unleash the enormous creativity and development vitality of Hong Kong society. The third is to effectively solve the problems of people’s livelihood, so that more and more development achievements will benefit all citizens in a fairer way. The fourth is to jointly maintain harmony and stability and jointly create a better life.

Xi Jinping emphasized that we must pay special attention to and care for young people. It is necessary to lead young people to deeply understand the development trend of the country and the world, and enhance their national pride and sense of ownership. It is necessary to help the majority of young people solve the practical difficulties faced by their studies, employment, entrepreneurship, and property ownership, and create more opportunities for them to grow and become talents. It is hoped that every youth in Hong Kong will devote themselves to building a beautiful Hong Kong and write a wonderful life with a fiery youth.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. Promoting the successful practice of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong is an important part of this historical process. We firmly believe that with the firm support of the great motherland and the solid guarantee of the “one country, two systems” policy, Hong Kong will certainly be able to create greater splendor and share the Chinese nation with the people of the motherland on the new journey of realizing my country’s second centenary goal. The glory of the great revival.

In his speech, Li Jiachao said that as the sixth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I feel extremely honored and fully aware of the great responsibility. I will lead the governance team to go all out to unite all sectors of Hong Kong society, fully and accurately implement the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy, safeguard the constitutional order of the Special Administrative Region as determined by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and safeguard national sovereignty, security, development interests, ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Ding Xuexiang, Xu Qiliang, Shen Yueyue, Wang Yi and Xia Baolong attended the celebration and inauguration ceremony.

Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as representatives from all walks of life in Hong Kong and special guests also attended the celebration and inauguration ceremony.