Xi Jinping vows to strengthen national identity and patriotism in Hong Kong and Macau

In closing speech at NPC’s annual congress, Chinese president pledges to support integration of both cities into national development strategies

Reading Time:4 minutes

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the closing session of the National People's Congress. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:08pm, 20 Mar 2018Updated: 11:30pm, 20 Mar 2018

President Xi Jinping on Tuesday vowed to strengthen the national identity and patriotism of the people of Hong Kong and Macau, as Beijing implements its “one country, two systems” governing principle in the two cities “comprehensively and accurately”.

Speaking at the close of the National People’s Congress’ annual session, Xi also pledged to support the integration of Hong Kong and Macau into national development strategies, in a reference to the “Greater Bay Area” project, which aims to transform the two cities, along with nine others in mainland China, into one of the world’s strongest economic powerhouses.

Premier Li Keqiang said separately that Beijing would observe one country, two systems when implementing the bay area plan so that Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau could benefit each other with their own unique strengths.

Six key points from Xi Jinping’s speech wrapping up China’s national congress

Xi started his 37-minute speech, the first after his re-election as China’s president on Saturday, by praising the Chinese people for their innovative spirit, courage in the face of difficulties, unity and willingness to dream.

The president also identified economic reforms, governance, culture, livelihood and the environment as five key policy areas that the central government needed to work on.

Moving on to Hong Kong and Macau, Xi said: “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’.”

Under Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, Beijing has guaranteed that the city, as a special administrative region, will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, and China’s socialist systems will not be implemented in Hong Kong for 50 years after its 1997 return from British to Chinese rule. But incidents such as the missing booksellers saga of 2015 have sparked fears about the erosion of civil liberties and freedoms.