Addressing a gala celebration on Tuesday evening to mark the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the city has made notable progress in both economic development and improving people’s livelihoods under the “one country, two systems” principle.
The annual gala, organized by the Hong Kong Celebrations Association and held at the Hong Kong Coliseum just hours before the July 1 anniversary, also launched a broader program of citywide celebratory activities.
Citing Hong Kong’s 5.9 percent GDP growth in the first quarter, the strongest in five years, Lee said that “economic development serves to improve livelihoods”.
He said that over the past year, the administration has made progress in addressing key social issues, including the shortage of public housing, the problem of poor-quality subdivided flats, and the long-debated need to regulate ride-hailing services.
“These results stem from better integrating a ‘proactive government’ with an ‘efficient market’, breaking through vested interests, adhering to a results-oriented approach, and solving problems through reform,” Lee told the audience.
Looking ahead, he said the SAR government would align its work more closely with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and develop its local five-year strategy so that Hong Kong could better integrate into and serve the country’s overall development.
A major priority, Lee added, will be speeding up development of the Northern Metropolis, which he described as a future engine of Hong Kong’s economic and social growth.
“We will keep improving livelihoods so that residents enjoy a better life, and society becomes more harmonious and inclusive,” he said.
Among those attending the gala were Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; Li Jiangzhou, deputy head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR; Tan Zhiwei, deputy commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison; and Tam Kam-kau, chairman of the organizing association.
The star-studded gala featured renowned singers from both the HKSAR and the Chinese mainland, including Tam Wing-lun, Edmond Leung Hon-man, Chung Chun-to, and Wu Bixia, along with innovative dance performances that combined Chaoshan Yingge, Dunhuang Feitian, and robotic elements.
Wednesday also marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The Hong Kong SAR government said it would organize a series of activities to help more residents appreciate the nation’s achievements and promote patriotism.
A launch ceremony jointly organized by the SAR government and the Liaison Office will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday. The event will include a live viewing of the national celebration in Beijing, with Radio Television Hong Kong broadcasting the proceedings on RTHK TV 31 and 32.