President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the swearing-in ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, July 1, 2022. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Various groups in the city held seminars to study President Xi Jinping’s important speech made at the city’s 25th anniversary of its return to the country, and vowed to live up to the president’s expectations by firmly upholding and furthering the course of “one country, two systems”.

Their remarks came days after the president gave a speech during his two-day visit in Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to the motherland, which fell on July 1.

Attending a Monday seminar held by Friends of Hong Kong Association, Tan Tieniu, deputy director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, called on the city’s patriotic forces to take the lead to strive to accomplish the four proposals brought forward by the president in his speech.

Attending a Monday seminar held by Friends of Hong Kong Association, Tan Tieniu, deputy director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, called on the city’s patriotic forces to take the lead to strive to accomplish the four proposals brought forward by the president in his speech

The four proposals the president laid out for Hong Kong were further improving its governance, continuing to create a strong impetus for growth, earnestly addressing people’s concerns and difficulties in daily life, and working together to safeguard harmony and stability.

Tan called upon the city’s political heavyweights and social groups to proactively safeguard and promote the “one country, two systems” principle to boost Hong Kong’s long-term development.

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Also speaking at the same event, Ian Fok Chun-wan, Hong Kong delegate to the National People’s Congress, the nation’s top legislature, said Xi’s words showed that he is familiar with Hong Kong’s deep-seated problems and has pointed out the direction for effective solutions.

Fok said he felt inspired by the speech and will strive for a greater development of the “one country, two systems” principle.

The city’s top scientists and scholars on Monday also met to discuss Xi’s speech at the city’s Hong Kong Science Park in the New Territories. The meeting was held jointly by the Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre.

Neuroscientist Nancy Ip Yuk-yu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and incoming president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said Xi’s affirmation of Hong Kong’s contribution to national scientific development has greatly encouraged scientists in Hong Kong.

Ip said she believes that Xi’s speech put forward higher requirements for the development of Hong Kong. She suggested that Hong Kong gather global resources to develop in concert with the mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to construct a global technological innovation center.

Neuroscientist Nancy Ip Yuk-yu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and incoming president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, believes that Xi’s speech put forward higher requirements for the development of Hong Kong

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The city’s 26 social groups formed by people of the same provincial origins also weighed in on the hot topic on Monday. They held a meeting offline and online to study the speech.

Tang Ching-ho, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong community organizations, said the community associations will firmly put Xi’s expectations into actions and continue to be a good partner and a good helper for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

Rooted into the community, the organization pledged to cooperate with the SAR government and make better efforts to solve problems relating to people’s livelihoods.

The city’s Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong also organized a meeting to discuss and share thoughts on Xi’s speech for its members.

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BPA Council Chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok said Xi has high hopes for the Hong Kong community. The BPA will strive to facilitate the city’s youngsters’ dream seeking and help them embrace opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and make a contribution to the nation while seeking personal career development, Lam said.