Full transcript: President Xi Jinping on his three reasons for visiting Hong Kong
The president spoke briefly to media after arriving in Hong Kong for his three-day visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover from British rule
Hello, friends in the media.
I feel the weather in Hong Kong today is rather hot. You’ve had a hard job waiting here. Thanks everyone. Please convey my sincere greetings and well wishes to Hong Kong people.
I’m pleased to have set foot in Hong Kong once again after nine years. Hong Kong has always been in my heart.
In two days, it will be the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. This is a significant event and a happy occasion for the country as well as for Hong Kong.
The central government’s delegation and I have come to Hong Kong for three purposes.
First, we convey our good wishes and congratulations on the great achievements attained by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in its 20th anniversary of establishment. We wholeheartedly wish Hong Kong will create new glory.
Second, we want to demonstrate our support. For 20 years, the central government has always given Hong Kong strong backing. The central government will continue to support the development of Hong Kong and its work on improving people’s livelihood.
Third, we are to map out the future. With all sectors of the society, we wish to look back at Hong Kong’s extraordinary journey in the past 20 years. Together, we sum up our experience and look forward to the future, to ensure the smooth and long-term success of the “one country, two systems” policy.
I look forward to feeling the new mood and changes in Hong Kong after the developments all these years.
I believe that through the series of events to be staged here, our determination and confidence in developing and building a better Hong Kong will surely be enhanced.
Thanks, everyone.
