China’s ‘two sessions’ 2023: Xi Jinping ties Hong Kong’s future to country’s, vows to ‘firmly’ push forward ‘one country, two systems’
- In delivering closing speech, Xi Jinping pledges support for Hong Kong, saying its long-term prosperity and stability ‘inseparable’ from creation of strong country
- City leader John Lee, who is visiting capital, says Hong Kong will contribute to country’s rejuvenation in ‘deeper, wider and better way’
“Promoting the building of a strong country is inseparable from the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau,” Xi told the more than 3,000 delegates to the National People’s Congress (NPC) gathered in the Great Hall of the People.
“We must comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implement one country, two systems, Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, Macau people governing Macau, and a high degree of autonomy.”
The president, elected to an unprecedented third term, also pledged to support the economic development and improvement of people’s livelihoods in the two special administrative regions.
Xi spoke about Hong Kong after highlighting the country’s need to balance growth and security as it pursued national rejuvenation. He also promised the country would not shut itself off from the rest of the world and would take part in global development and governance.
The president also for the first time called for the “firm advancement” of the one country, two systems governing principle.
