Zheng Yanking, newly appointeddirector of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), replacing then directorLuo Huining.Photo: CFP

Zheng Yanxiong, the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), delivered a 2023 Spring Festival address on Sunday, to welcome the Year of the Rabbit with the people of Hong Kong and to urge the city to grasp the opportunities provided by the Chinese mainland to gain more prosperity.

Zheng made the appeal in his first Spring Festival address on Sunday afternoon, one day after the State Council announced his appointment to the post.

Zheng has been appointed as director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), replacing Luo Huining, according to an official announcement published on Saturday.

In the video address, he said that Hong Kong can become more prosperous by seizing the huge opportunities brought by Chinese-style modernization and taking part in the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"With vast hinterland for development, a huge consumer market and endless impetus for innovation in the mainland, the motherland has provided a broad stage for dream chasers in Hong Kong to show their talent," said Zheng.

Zheng also pointed out that the just ended year 2022, was a very important year in the history of the Party and the country, as well as a milestone in the process of implementing "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong.

The official also stressed the importance of upholding the constitutional order of Hong Kong established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and striving in unity.

"As long as the tremendous creativity in Hong Kong society is fully stimulated, there will be no difficulty that cannot be overcome and no problem that cannot be conquered on the road ahead," he added.

In the new year, Zheng said, the liaison office will continue to perform its duty in accordance with the law, to support the chief executive and government of Hong Kong SAR, and to work together with all sectors of society to make the city move forward in a new phase of prosperity.

In the 12-minute address, Zheng also reviewed what the country and the city had achieved in the past year, saying that Hong Kong stood at a new historical starting point in the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" as it celebrated the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland in 2022.

He concluded the address with best wishes of prosperity and health to all Hong Kong residents in the upcoming Year of the Rabbit.

Zheng's Spring Festival address has received positive responses from all sectors of society in Hong Kong. Nixie Lam Lam, a Hong Kong politician of the DAB and a Legislative Council Member expressed welcome and support for Zheng's speech.

She said Hong Kong has successfully withstood various challenges with the full support of the central government in the past. "One country, two systems has returned to the right track," Lam said, adding that Hong Kong can return to a new journey of focusing on development and striving for people's livelihood, and create favorable conditions for the realization of governance and prosperity.

Global Times