Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on Friday called on the city to effectively align economic development with national security, and contribute to the nation’s modernization drive.

During the office’s annual spring reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Zheng addressed about 1,600 guests, including members of the central authorities in the SAR, the SAR government, the Legislative Council, the Judiciary, and various sectors of the Hong Kong community.

Zheng emphasized the need for Hong Kong society to fully leverage its institutional strengths under the “one country, two systems” framework, including its extensive international connections, to achieve new successes.

Reviewing the fruitful Year of the Dragon, Zheng said that with the central government’s support, Hong Kong has achieved significant developments across various areas.

He highlighted the city’s effort in upholding social stability through local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law — the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in March.

“It is reassuring to see the local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law gain popular support, progress smoothly, and receive unanimous legislative backing, enabling Hong Kong to finally address the long-standing security gaps,” he said.

Zheng said it is crucial to remain committed to both safeguarding national security and promoting economic growth. He urged the governance team and all community members to remain alert in protecting the rule of law and effectively managing public sentiment amid increasing global volatility.

To sustain its success story and break new ground, Hong Kong must uphold the fundamental principle of the “one country, two systems” while embracing innovation and enhancing adaptability, Zheng said.

Citing a recent important speech by President Xi Jinping, Zheng said the purpose of the “one country, two systems” principle in the new era is to deliver better development for both Hong Kong and Macao and enable their further contribution to the national development and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Hong Kong must fulfill its responsibility to the great family of the motherland as the city nears the 28th anniversary of the 1997 handover, he said.

He highlighted Hong Kong’s unique institutional advantages, economic positioning, legal framework, and rich cultural diversity.

Zheng encouraged Hong Kong to maintain connection with both the Chinese mainland and the global community while actively promoting strategic integration with national development. As the mainland is currently the most dynamic economy in the world, this integration will create new opportunities for Hong Kong, he said.

He also called on Hong Kong to rise to the challenge, move forward with a strong sense of responsibility, and strive to address obstacles to sustain Hong Kong’s success story.

“It is reassuring to see positive developments in Hong Kong, where a consensus has been reached to prioritize economic growth, paving the way for the city to progress from stability to prosperity,” he said.

In a separate speech, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that the SAR government will unite various sectors of society in the new year to actively pursue reforms aligned with national strategies, thereby creating new opportunities and advantages for economic development.

He emphasized plans to enhance Hong Kong’s connectivity mechanisms by increasing offshore renminbi liquidity and attracting more mainland and international companies to list in Hong Kong. Additionally, the government aims to establish investment and free trade agreements with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Lee said that with half of the world’s population located within a five-hour flight from Hong Kong, the city will leverage the newly launched three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport to expand connections to new destinations, both within the mainland and globally.

He also said that efforts will be made to integrate Hong Kong’s transportation infrastructure with other regional systems.

Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com