The early post-handover years tested our institutional strengths. The Asian financial crisis, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and later the global financial crisis exposed vulnerabilities. Yet the city showed a strong capacity to recover each time, as reflected after the Covid-19 pandemic and 2019 social unrest.
This year’s anniversary carried additional symbolic weight as it coincided with official commemorations of the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China’s founding, which was marked by events both in Beijing and Hong Kong for the first time. The parallel observances underscore the constitutional context within which Hong Kong continues to prosper as a special administrative region of China under “one country, two systems”. Reviewing the party’s achievements at an event in Beijing, President Xi Jinping expressed support for Hong Kong and Macau better integrating with and serving the country, adding that promoting the two cities’ long-term prosperity and stability was essential for national rejuvenation. Resolving the Taiwan issue and realising reunification is a historic mission and an unshakeable commitment for the party, he said.
The onus is on Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu to make the most of the remaining year in his current term. The three focuses, he said, were to push ahead with the city’s five-year plan in alignment with the national development blueprint, fast-track the Northern Metropolis development, and further improve people’s livelihoods. “Faced with a competitive external environment and rapid technology changes, it is imperative that we drive reform and innovation from a longer-term perspective, coupled with more systematic planning,” he said.
The five-year plan consultations and the next policy address are timely opportunities to set a clear and forward-looking agenda. The consensus built can reinforce the city’s distinct edges pivotal to its role as a super value-adder and superconnector between the country and the world while accelerating diversification into innovation, technology and other high-quality development areas. With the right strategies and Beijing’s continuous support, Hong Kong’s success story will see a brighter chapter on its 30th anniversary and beyond.