BEIJING – Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday that the central government will uphold the principle that only patriots can govern Hong Kong and Macau, while reaffirming the spirit of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and Macau people administering Macau.
Delivering the government’s annual work report during the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in the nation’s capital, Li said that the central government will fully support the work of the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Region governments in accordance with the law.
“We will ensure that the central government exercise overall jurisdiction over the two special administrative regions [SARs] and also uphold the principle that Hong Kong and Macau should be governed by patriots,” he said.
“And we will help Hong Kong and Macau develop their economies and improve the people’s wellbeing, and see that the two regions better integrate themselves into the country’s overall development, and maintain long-term prosperity and stability.”
He also said the central government will continue to implement “accurately and staunchly” the principles of “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong, Macau people administering Macau, and the two SARs’ high degree of autonomy.
On Taiwan, the premier said that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should come together to advance the cause of China’s rejuvenation and national unification.
He said Beijing is resolutely against pro-independence separatist behaviour and any interference of foreign powers in Taiwan matters.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng attended the opening session. – RTHK, MPD
Premier Li Keqiang delivers his annual government work report at the opening meeting of the 5th session of the 13th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. – Xinhua
