Xi vows to boost patriotism of HK and Macau residents

Delegates of CPPCC cross a road in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

President Xi Jinping pledged to strengthen the national identity and patriotism of the people of Hong Kong and Macau during his closing speech for the National People’s Congress’ annual session.

In his 37-minute speech, the president also vowed to support the two SARs’ integration into national development strategies for the Greater Bay Area project.

“We will comprehensively and accurately implement the principles of ‘one country, two systems’, ‘Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong’, ‘Macau people governing Macau’ and ‘high degree of autonomy’,” Xi said.

“[We will] strictly follow the constitution and the Basic Law, and support the SAR governments and chief executives in proactive governance in accordance with the law,” he added.

The Chinese president said the country would foster “greater patriotism” and a “stronger sense of national identity” among the people of Hong Kong and Macau, in line with his promises in the 19th congress.

“[We will] support Hong Kong and Macau [by] integrating [them] into the country’s development strategies, strengthen the national identity and patriotism of compatriots [in the two cities], and maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau.”

In a press conference, Premier Li Keqiang said that Beijing would observe the “one country, two systems” policy when implementing the Bay Area plan.

“There can be mutually beneficial cooperation and common development between us and other countries, not to mention among Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland, which belong to the same country under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”

Li said that the Greater Bay Area cannot become “world-class and be competitive internationally” unless Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau join forces and draw on each other’s unique yet complementary strengths.

“We have confidence that these three areas will draw upon each other’s comparative strengths and work together in building a new and strong area of growth,” he added.

According to Li, Beijing will gradually introduce new policies so that Hong Kong people can enjoy “national treatment” – or the same treatment as mainland Chinese – when living, studying or traveling in the Guangdong cities.

The policies are expected to take effect next month.

The premier reiterated Xi’s stance that the central government will uphold the principles of “one country, two systems” and respect the autonomy of Hong Kong and Macau.

China to unveil plans for greater bay area

PREMIER LI Keqiang yesterday announced that China will soon unveil and implement a plan for building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area to promote regional development. Details of the plan are currently being formulated and will be announced in due course. Li said the plan will progressively grant Hong Kong and Macau residents equal access to housing, education and transportation while living and working in the mainland, especially while in Guangdong.