On July 1st, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney H.E. Zhou Limin published a signed article titled “Hong Kong Shines Brighter after 25 Years since its Return to the Motherland”. The full text is as follows:
July 1st of this year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to its motherland, China.
Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong has gone through an extraordinary journey, and this Oriental Pearl continues to shine as brightly as ever.
Hong Kong has successfully weathered the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2003 SARS epidemic, the 2008 international financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. It maintains a solid position as a global financial, shipping and trading center. For many years in a row, Hong Kong has been rated as the freest economy and the most attractive place to do business in the world.
Some figures of the past and present can clearly reveal the remarkable changes in Hong Kong over the past 25 years.
The economy continues to grow. Hong Kong’s GDP grew from 1.37 trillion HKD in 1997 to 2.86 trillion HKD in 2021, by an average annual increase of 2.7% in real terms, with GDP per capita rising steadily from 192,000 HKD before the return to 387,100 HKD in 2021.
The livelihood of Hong Kong residents continues to improve. Hong Kong’s population has increased nearly a million in the past 25 years, jumping from 6.5m to 7.4m. In 2021, life expectancy of Hong Kong male residents was 83 years and female 87.7 years, an increase of respectively 6.2 and 5.5 years when compared with those in 1997. Life quality of Hong Kong residents consistently improves, with increasingly plentiful cultural, recreational and sports facilities built up and put in use.
Hong Kong’s interactions with the world becomes more active. Since 1997, the number of foreign consular missions in Hong Kong has increased from 88 to 119, inter-governmental organizations that Hong Kong joined reached 97, and Hong Kong’s overseas economic and trade offices grew to 14. Furthermore, Hong Kong has signed more than 600 bilateral agreements with foreign countries. More than 270 Chinese embassies and consulates all over the world are providing around-the-clock consular services to Hong Kong compatriots. Hong Kong people feel more secure and more confident when they are abroad because they know that the motherland will always have them back.
Over the past 25 years, "one country, two systems" has gone from theoretical design to successful practice in Hong Kong, demonstrating its strong vitality and advanced nature.
The central government of China has always fully and faithfully implemented the principle of "one country, two systems", under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. It has upheld the rule of law in Hong Kong, upheld the constitutional order of the HK Special Administrative Region as stipulated in China’s Constitution and the Basic Law, supported the orderly development of democracy in Hong Kong, and ensured that Hong Kong residents exercise their democratic rights in accordance with the law. In May this year, the election of the 6th Chief Executive of the HKSAR was held in a fair and orderly manner in accordance with law and regulations. Mr. Li Jiachao was elected by a wide margin, which once again demonstrates the success of democratic development with Hong Kong characteristics.
To ensure the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems", we must fully and accurately understand the relationship between "one country" and "two systems" and make sure that it is not misinterpreted or distorted in practice. "One country" is the basis and prerequisite of "two systems", and the implementation of "two systems" must not be at the expense of "one country".
In recent years, particularly since the unrest over the amendment bill took place in Hong Kong in 2019, anti-China agitators in Hong Kong have colluded with external malignant forces, blatantly crossing the bottom line of “one country, two systems”, obstructing constitutional order and government administration in Hong Kong, wrecking overall social stability of Hong Kong as well as undermining China's sovereignty, security and development interests.
To promptly put an end to violence and chaos, the central government took the decisive actions to adopt the National Security Law, improve Hong Kong’s electoral system and fully implement the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. These measures have restored the order and dignity of the rule of law in the HKSAR, and laid the foundation for Hong Kong's development and prosperity. According to the Global Financial Centers Index report released in March 2022, Hong Kong returned to the third place before the "amendment bill unrest". Hong Kong has achieved a major transition from chaos to governance, and is now at a crucial stage of governance and prosperity.
Hong Kong's future has always been closely linked with the motherland. China is deepening opening-up at a high level. With a mega-sized market, a complete and stable industrial chain and an improved business environment, China has continued to deliver dividends to the world, injecting strong momentum into Hong Kong's development. The 14th Five-Year Plan, the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will provide Hong Kong with greater space for development.
The 25th anniversary marks a starting point from where Hong Kong sets out afresh. With the strong support of the central government of China and concerted efforts made by local government and people from all walks of life, there is no doubt that Hong Kong will enjoy greater economic prosperity, social harmony, better democracy and rule-of-law as well as a happier life for its people. The Oriental Pearl shall shine even brighter!