Let Patriotism Flourish in Hong Kong
Remarks by Luo Huining, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at the Gala in Celebration of the 71st Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
September 30, 2020
The Honorable Vice Chairman Tung Chee-hwa,
Chief Executive Carrie Lam,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends,
Good morning!
Tomorrow marks the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is also the Mid-Autumn Festival, a festival for family reunion for the Chinese nation. We gather here in Hong Kong to celebrate with the people of the motherland at this moment when our feelings for our motherland and our families are particularly strong. On behalf of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, I would like to extend our festive greetings to you and all Hong Kong citizens.
A country is made up of tens of millions of families. Families will do better when the country does well. The National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival fall on the same day this year, which makes us reflect on the relationship between families and the motherland. Recalling the extraordinary journey that Hong Kong and the motherland have travelled together, we get a deeper understanding that the motherland and our families always share weal and woe together.
In modern history, the Chinese nation suffered severely from national defeat and family destruction due to foreign invasions. It was during that time when Hong Kong was forced to leave the motherland, and experienced tremendous humiliations, pains and a century of turmoil from then on. It was not until the Communist Party of China led the Chinese people out of poverty, weakness and backwardness, and on to an incredible journey of national rejuvenation, that Hong Kong's fortune underwent tremendous changes.
Thanks to our country becoming increasingly strong, Hong Kong was able to return to the motherland under the great concept of "one country, two systems", and to embark on a broad path of joint development with the motherland. Hong Kong compatriots, together with the 1.4 billion Chinese people, have since taken up the historical responsibility of national rejuvenation and shared the great glory of the motherland.
Thanks to our country becoming increasingly strong, Hong Kong was able to successfully withstand the enormous impacts of the Asian financial crisis, the SARS epidemic and the international financial crisis. Hong Kong has consolidated its status as a global financial, shipping and trade center and has been ranked by many international agencies as one of the most competitive regions in the world for many consecutive years.
Thanks to our country becoming increasingly strong, Hong Kong was able to avoid falling into the abyss of a "color revolution". The National Security Law in Hong Kong, enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, ended the chaos in Hong Kong caused by the rampant pro-independence camp and "black violence" , leading to a major transition for Hong Kong to return to order.
Reflecting on the past in the light of the present allows us to see that our homes are peaceful when the country is stable, and our homes prosperous when the country is strong. This is the first-hand experience of generations of Hong Kong compatriots and also the deepest memory under the Lion Rock about the relations between our homes and our country.
Our homes are connected with the motherland. Homes are where we live and love, and the country is the guardian of all our homes and represents the hope of our nation. The love for the motherland and family is in the blood of the strong and self-improving Chinese nation, and nourishes the Chinese people's patriotism and all-round development.
As members of the Chinese nation, Hong Kong compatriots always possess the glorious patriotic tradition. During times of wars, Hong Kong compatriots collected funds and goods to send to the mainland to support national liberation. In the early years of reform and opening-up, Hong Kong compatriots took the lead in investing and starting businesses on the mainland and participated in education support and other social welfare activities. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997, Hong Kong compatriots have more actively participated in exchanges and cooperations between Hong Kong and the mainland, and have contributed significantly to the practice of "one country, two systems" and the development of the country. All these have vividly demonstrated Hong Kong compatriots' patriotism. Yet, over the years, there are some people who spared no efforts in downplaying the national consciousness of the Hong Kong society, and even attempted to distort "two systems" to challenge "one country". They always oppose China-related affairs and go against the historic trend. This clearly shows that promoting national consciousness and patriotism in Hong Kong remains a matter of significant urgency.
The world is currently undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. "A big vessel is more capable of fighting waves." Facing this increasingly severe and complex global situation, Hong Kong needs the support of the great motherland more than ever. Hong Kong's responsibility to the nation should be emphasized more than ever. Hong Kong is the common home for all citizens. To make this home better, love for the motherland and family should take deeper root in the soil of the Hong Kong society, and patriotism should be the foundation to support the new journey of stability and development.
For the betterment of our home Hong Kong, we should enhance national consciousness. We must fully and faithfully implement the principle of "one country, two systems", and clearly understand that only by sticking to the foundation of "one country", can the "two systems" have space. Violating the foundation of "one country" will destroy the benefits of "two systems". Only by standing firmly with the motherland, safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, having one heart and one mind and walking in the same direction with the country, adhering to principles and never giving in, shunning away or slacking off efforts on major issues, can Hong Kong break through the whirlpool of pan-politicization, relieve itself from the hijack of "black violence" and mutual destruction, successfully address risks and challenges and better protect the interests of her citizens.
For the betterment of our home Hong Kong, we should pursue prosperity with the country. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation -- it has stood up, grown rich, and become strong, and it is striving forward toward the grand goal of national rejuvenation. This has generated strong momentum and huge space for Hong Kong's future development. Only by integrating itself more actively into national development, closely aligning its fundamental interests with the overall interests of the Chinese nation, and making good use of the greatest advantage of "one country, two systems", the biggest arena of the country's reform and opening-up, and the new opportunities created by the implementation of national strategies including the Belt and Road Initiative and the GBA development, can Hong Kong solve its deep-rooted problems, give full play to its comparative advantages, and better guarantee the individual development of her citizens.
For the betterment of our home Hong Kong, we must boost patriotism. Education on the Constitution, the Basic Law, national security, Chinese history and culture should be strengthened in Hong Kong, especially among civil servants and the youth. No matter how tall a tree is, it has roots; no matter how long a river is, it has a source. Being Chinese, loving our country is an obligation and a righteous path rather than a choice. Only by building a stronger patriotic social and political foundation, strengthening the sense of national identity, national belonging and national pride, can Hong Kong move forward in the right direction in the great journey of national rejuvenation, and individual value of Hong Kong citizens be better fulfilled.
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends,
Our motherland and Hong Kong both stand at a new historical starting point. As long as we firmly stand together with the motherland, Hong Kong will remain stable despite disturbances, and maintain its glory as the Pearl of the Orient.
I have full confidence in the bright prospect of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, in the bright future of the steady and enduring practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong, and in the greater prosperity of Hong Kong and our motherland.
Blessings to our motherland and to Hong Kong!
Thank you!
