The fifth annual session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened ceremoniously at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. Over 2,000 members of the CPPCC National Committee from all over the country attended the meeting, and CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng delivered his work report. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other leaders were seated on the rostrum to congratulate on the opening of the CPPCC annual session.
For Hong Kong society, the CPPCC National Committee is one of the closest and most familiar state institution. Not to mention other things, right now at lease there are over 100 members of the CPPCC National Committee from Hong Kong's various sectors attending the ongoing annual session. Former Chief Executive Mr. Tung Chee-hwa is one of the 20-plus vice chairpersons of the CPPCC National Committee being seated on the rostrum yesterday. Incumbent CE Leung Chun-ying has just been co-opted a member of the CPPCC National Committee, being seated in the middle of the front row. According to various sources, the last item on the agenda of the CPPCC session is to "deliberate and approve personnel matters". Four vice chairmen will be co-opted, and Leung Chun-ying is very likely to be one of them.
If this turns out to be true, then when the annual session concludes, of all the CPPCC vice chairpersons seated on the rostrum, two will be from Hong Kong. This is absolutely a high and prominent proportion nationwide. The fact that the SAR has two CPPCC vice chairmen is evidence that the Central Government and people all over the country acknowledge, affirm and trust the SAR and Hong Kong people and their contributions. It is also an important embodiment of further implementation of "one country two systems", and of help for the SAR to integrate itself into the nation's 13th Five-Year Plan and the One Belt One Road strategic programme.
In his work report yesterday, Yu Zhengsheng as always also stressed on Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan affairs. He said, the CPPCC National Committee should unswervingly implement the principles of "one country two systems", "Hong Kong people running Hong Kong" and "Macao people running Macao" with a high degree of autonomy, support the governance in accordance with the law by the SAR chief executives and governments, and timely brief its members from Hong Kong and Macao about the nation's economic and social development and organise them to pay inspection and study visits [to the Mainland]. Relevant activities will be organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the Motherland. The CPPCC will strengthen friendly exchanges with political groups, social organisations and personages in Hong Kong and Macao, promote exchanges and cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macao in various sectors, organise study trips for young people in Hong Kong and Macao to visit the Mainland, so as to "strengthen the love of both the region and country among the people of Hong Kong and Macao."
This year, while the "two sessions" [of the National People's Congress (NPC) and CPPCC] are being held in Beijing, the Chief Executive Election in Hong Kong is also in full swing. The three candidates, qualified before the end of the nomination period, are busy engaged in activities to solicit support. The ongoing annual session of the CPPCC National Committee surely will be concerned with the election. It is worthy to point out that, according to the Basic Law, Hong Kong deputies to the CPPCC National Committee take over 100 seats in the 1,200-member Election Committee, who hence play a crucial role in the CE Election. During the nomination period, these Hong Kong deputies to the CPPCC National Committee have taken a clear-cut stand to give their support to Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor without the slightest hesitation, who meets the Central Government's four requirements: loving the country and Hong Kong, being trusted by the Central Government, having the ability to govern, and supported by Hong Kong people. They gave her a remarkable number of nominating ballots, which of great help to stabilising the situation regarding the CE Election.
As a matter of fact, unity and cooperation, loving the country and region, practical and enterprising, being earnest and responsible, these exactly make the constant "golden" sign and good tradition of this political team consisting of members of the CPPSS National Committee. The CPPCC upholds principles and at the same time unites all who could be united with greatest tolerance and mobilises all forces that could be mobilised, to strive for the common goals and endeavour. The CPPCC's history of over half a century proves this the only correct route it must take and not to deviate from.
As said by Chairman Yu Zhengsheng yesterday, the grand 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR is approaching. At this crucial moment, CPPCC organs at all levels and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups are feeling proud and happy for the success in the practice of "one country two systems". The top priority for Hong Kong people as part of the nation is to be further aware of the situation and build consensus, so as to elect a Chief Executive - who is trusted by the Central Government and supported by Hong Kong people, practical, enterprising and committed - to lead Hong Kong society to march into the next two decades. It is fully confident that Hong Kong deputies to the CPPCC National Committee will take their firm stand and play their role when they cast their votes in the CE Election.
04 March 2017
