Hong Kong and Macau will develop and thrive with mainland, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says as he delivers annual work report
- Premier promises support for both cities as they seize opportunities under belt and road strategy and Greater Bay Area plan
- Unlike in previous two years, state leader does not mention ‘promoting democracy’ in report
Hong Kong and Macau will develop and progress together with mainland China as they seize opportunities under the nation’s trade and integration plans, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday as he delivered his annual work report.
But unlike in the previous two years, the state leader did not use the phrase “promoting democracy”. And while he pledged to resolutely protect national sovereignty and oppose any separatist schemes seeking Taiwan’s independence, the premier did not touch on pro-independence acts in Hong Kong.
Giving the first annual work report of his second five-year term, which started last year, Li promised to support Hong Kong and Macau’s chief executives and their governments.
“We will continue with the comprehensive and accurate implementation of the policies of ‘one country, two systems’, the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong … and a high degree of autonomy for both regions,” he said at the opening of the annual session of the National People’s Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The event was attended by about 3,000 deputies from around the country, as well as foreign diplomats.
Under the one country, two systems principle, the two former colonies were guaranteed a high degree of autonomy after they returned to Chinese rule in the late 1990s. Li had not used the phrases “people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong” and “a high degree of autonomy for both regions” in his report last year, sparking some concern.