Beijing committed to ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle for Hong Kong, preserving city’s strengths, Xi Jinping says

Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised Beijing’s long-term commitment to maintaining the “one country, two systems” governing principle for Hong Kong and preserving its unique strengths as an international hub, while also laying down a list of tasks for the city’s new leader to deliver in the next five years.

Xi swore in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his new team on Friday, instructing them to improve governance, strengthen the momentum of development, solve deep-seated livelihood issues, and ensure harmony as Hong Kong “cannot afford any chaos”.

The president set out the direction for Hong Kong’s future development in the clearest terms yet and listed his expectations for the new administration at the main ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover from British colonial rule to Chinese sovereignty.

He also inspected the Hong Kong garrison of the People’s Liberation Army and praised it for playing an important role in the city’s “transition from chaos to stability”, before concluding his two-day visit and returning to neighbouring Shenzhen on a special train via the cross-border express rail link.

“There is no reason to change such a good system. And it must be adhered to in the long run!” Xi said in his keynote speech at the swearing-in ceremony, underscoring Beijing’s commitment to the unique governing formula that allows Hong Kong to maintain its own capitalist system and enjoy a high degree of autonomy.

But he also reminded the city of the central government’s overall jurisdiction while calling for the policy to be “applied fully and faithfully without being bent or distorted”.

“The policy of one country, two systems is an integral whole. Upholding our country’s sovereignty, security and development interests is the paramount principle in the policy of one country, two systems,” he said.