Today marks the 19th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR.

　　The SAR Government will hold a flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square, and afterwards a reception.

　　Various sectors will also organise activities respectively, such as hosting the large-scale dance drama, Along the Silk Road, or launching a shopping festival with discounted goods, to celebrate such a day together that belongs to all citizens.

　　On the eve of the anniversary, following adopted practice, the SAR Government published the 2016 Honours List, the 19th since Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty.

　　On the list, apart from personages from various sectors who have made consistent contributions to society, there are two heroes who have been a focus of attention in society lately: senior station fire officer Thomas Cheung Yiu-sing and senior fireman Samuel Hui Chi-kit who both have been awarded posthumous gold medals for bravery (MBG), the highest honour awarded to civil servants.

　　The two heroes when alive had shown in their works and messages their high-level of professionalism and lofty sentiments to serve citizens.

　　Their sacrifice has won respect of whole society.

　　For this, the SAR Government decided somehow hastily to award them posthumous gold medals for bravery and to cancel the performance at the handover reception, and Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying would also not attend any celebration hosted by civic organisations.

　　All this shows the SAR Government and citizens speak with one voice and share joys and sorrows.

　　Hong Kong society must cherish such a moment of "misfortune testing the sincerity of friendship" and officials and citizens making a concerted effort.

　　It is believed that a stable, prosperous, united and mutually-understanding Hong Kong offers greater consolation to the spirits of the two heroes.

　　In the past 19 year since the handover, disturbance has been incessant.

　　Last year, the path the SAR has passed is possibly the most rugged and rough, the challenge and test to "one country two systems" possibly the most serious.

　　Taking advantage of the "remaining influence" of the so-called "Umbrella Movement", radical elements launched the "brick riot" in Mong Kok in the night of the Lunar New Year.Separatist elements seeking "Hong Kong independence" took the opportunity to rise and run rampant.

　　Some extremely isolated affairs also aroused wide concern and worry among citizens about the end of "one country two systems" and loss of freedom…

　　However, it is also in last year that the authoritative and core status of "one country two systems" has been unprecedentedly affirmed and underscored.

　　Chairman Zhang Dejiang of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) paid an inspection visit to Hong Kong.

　　He reminded us of the "three states of mind" required for the implementation of "one country two systems": the "original aspiration" to formulate the principle is aimed to maintain the "two systems", "patience" is needed to iron out differences cropping up in the course of advancement, and there must be "confidence" in the prospects of the development in the SAR.

　　He further reiterated that the Central Government's stance on "one country two systems" will not waver or change and needs no change, but Hong Kong society must also ensure that the implementation of the principle in Hong Kong won't be distorted or deformed with one thing pursued and another neglected.

　　In regard to pro-"Hong Kong independence" words and deeds bearing down in a menacing manner, Chairman Zhang Dejiang solemnly stated that separation of the country is intolerable, "Hong Kong independence" is a misfortune instead of a fortune and Hong Kong people should have their answer in their mind.

　　Law must be resolutely enforced on and justice done to all illegal trouble-making acts.

　　Chairman Zhang Dejiang's speeches in Hong Kong have had a great calming effect on Hong Kong society.

　　The Central Government's policy toward Hong Kong won't change but its powers are not allowed to be challenged.

　　These two core contents of "one country two systems" are thus manifested with unprecedented clarity and strength.

　　Hong Kong people generally hope the "one country two system" principle will remain unchanged in future, and at the same time agree that the Central Government's powers cannot be challenged.

　　Hence " Hong Kong independence" is nothing but a dead-ended road.

　　Nineteen years after the handover, it is the common voice and aspiration of Hong Kong society to safeguard "one country two systems" and the Basic Law in intact, to support Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and the SAR Government's governance in accordance with the law, to safeguard prosperity and stability and promote harmony and solidarity.

　　01 July 2016