HK on the path of recovery: Chief secretary

Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said Sunday (April 11) that Hong Kong is on the path of recovery, with the number of COVID-19 cases remaining at low levels while the economy is expected to rebound in the second half of the year.

In his "Letter to Hong Kong" broadcast over RTHK on Sunday morning, Cheung said the government's multi-pronged strategy of continuously enhancing anti-epidemic measures and preventing the importation of cases has proven effective.

"Despite the continuing challenges of the pandemic to our economy, Hong Kong is on the path of recovery. The economy is expected to rebound in the second half of this year," Cheung said.

"For that, we should thank our 'one country, two systems' framework, our role as the business bridge between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world, as well as the tremendous and historic opportunities in our integration into the overall development of our country," he added.

Cheung said that apart from keeping social distancing measures in place and mounting an extensive promotion of testing, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region specifically strengthened contact tracing as this is a particularly crucial measure in cutting the chains of viral transmission.

"The Department of Health's Contact Tracing Office has redoubled its efforts in speeding up the process of identifying close contacts. Their sterling efforts in contact tracing in the 'gym cluster' last month have significantly helped in suppressing rebounds within a number of days," Cheung said.

"This was a remarkable success," he added.

Cheung also noted that the city's vaccination program is also well under way, offering every Hong Kong resident, aged 30 and above, a choice of vaccines.

"Many experts have openly called on members of the public to get vaccinated. They stress the necessity for a considerable proportion of the population to receive vaccination in order to achieve herd immunity, which would in turn help Hong Kong get through the epidemic," he said.

Cheung said the recent passage of China's 14th Five-Year Plan also lends support to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the HKSAR's pivotal role in it.

"It also supports Hong Kong's development as a global innovation and technology hub, an international aviation center and an exchange center for arts and culture between the Mainland and the rest of the world," he said.

"Central to that promising future of Hong Kong is the National Security Law, enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress last June. Its impact on restoring law and order has been telling," he added.

Cheung said violence has all but disappeared; advocacy of "Hong Kong independence" has subsided, and stability has been restored.

"This means that you can now move about without fearing for your personal safety. It means, too, that you are free to express your views openly, while being respectful of the rights of others and not undermining national security," Cheung said.

"Our rule of law and judicial independence remain solid and strong. So, too, are our basic rights and freedoms, including the freedom of speech, of the press, publication, association, assembly, procession and demonstration," he said.

"In short, Hong Kong has largely reverted to the safe, rational, inclusive and vibrant society it has long been celebrated for. The Hong Kong that we all know and love," he added.

Cheung said April 15, or next Thursday, is the first National Security Education Day after the National Security Law was implemented in Hong Kong.

"Those of you who use the Cross-Harbour Tunnel will have seen the big banner, with its clear blue-sky background and its message "Uphold national security, safeguard our home." It is part of a Hong Kong-wide publicity and public education campaign organized for the first time by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong SAR," he said.

Cheung said the campaign features a series of activities to raise citizens' awareness about national security and is designed to deepen understanding of the National Constitution, the Basic Law and national security.

Apart from an opening ceremony and seminar on April 15, the program includes an open day of the academies of the disciplined services, an exhibition at the City Gallery in Central that will run through May 2, as well as other public events.

"Going hand in hand with national security is Hong Kong's electoral system. In recent years, radical and violent elements attempted to hijack the political process in Hong Kong, seriously disrupt the vital work of the Legislative Council (LegCo), advocate independence and sow chaos in society," he said.

"These seriously undermined the stability and prosperity of our city," he added.

Cheung said the electoral system that cannot safeguard "one country, two systems" and the constitutional order is a defective system.

"That is why, on the 30th of March, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law," he said.

"The objective in doing so is clear: to ensure that Hong Kong is administered by patriots – by Hong Kong people who champion "one country, two systems" and wholeheartedly respect and support the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR," he added.

Cheung said patriotism, no less than national security, is an accepted international norm and political security is the foundation of national security.

"Without it, Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability can never be achieved," he said.

Cheung said a refashioned Election Committee, which will comprise 1,500 members from five sectors, will play an important role in the new system.

"Beyond its current role of electing the Chief Executive, the committee will elect some legislators as well. It will also nominate candidates for the Legislative Council elections," Cheung said.

"In doing so, it will make LegCo more broadly representative of Hong Kong. Indeed, the number of seats at LegCo will expand from 70 to 90," he said.

If approved by the Executive Council, the government will introduce the bill on the amendments into LegCo on April 14 and the HKSAR government hopes to secure LegCo's passage by the end of May, he added.

"I am confident that the new electoral system will bring the executive authorities and the legislature closer together. It will allow them to put aside their differences and build consensus for the good of Hong Kong. For all of us," Cheung said.

(Source: China Daily)