Pearl of Orient 'regains luster'

China is full of opportunities and Hong Kong will take a bigger role in the country's unprecedented future by utilizing its talents, central government liaison office director Luo Huining said in his Lunar New Year greetings to the SAR.

In his online speech yesterday, Luo expressed his views on one country, two systems, Hong Kong's future and how the city can achieve effective governance.

He said that over the past year, the SAR has turned a new page in launching one country, two systems with the support of the national security law and the two elections - that of the Election Committee and the Legislative Council - after electoral reforms.

He said the city has suffered the biggest crises in almost 25 years after the handover, referring to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and "black-clad violence" during anti-fugitive protests in 2019.

"Although there had always been people who wanted to bring Hong Kong's democratic development down the wrong path and there had always been people who wanted to mess with Hong Kong, Hong Kong has overcome them and has stood firm under the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and the determined support from the motherland.

"The Pearl of the Orient has reemerged with renewed luster and glamor and is more charming than ever."

Luo said he is full of hope for Hong Kong's future, but the key is that the SAR must have a "historic awareness" of blending into the nation's development.

"The world's opportunities lie in China and Hong Kong's opportunities are on the mainland," he said.

"Negative emotions about Hong Kong's weakened status and hesitant behaviors will only let Hong Kong's golden opportunities slip away.

"Hong Kong can play a bigger role in a once-in-a-century revolution as long as it does its part in displaying its advantages and catering to the nation's needs."

But he said SAR authorities and members of the community should join hands in achieving effective governance, resolving deep-rooted conflicts and most importantly, battling the local Covid fifth wave.

National People's Congress standing committee member Tam Yiu-chung said Luo's speech had given comprehensive answers to key questions about the city's future.