Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), attended the group meeting of Hong Kong deputies to the NPC yesterday. In his speech, Zhang Dejiang stressed that Hong Kong "can no longer bear the burden of political antagonism", calling for various sectors to take the opportunity of electing a new Chief Executive to put aside differences and jointly seek development and promote harmony, so as to create a fine atmosphere for celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the Motherland and lay a solid foundation for the administration of the new-term SAR Government.
It is recalled that when the issue of Hong Kong's handover just surfaced, what worried Hong Kong society the most was that the Mainland's political atmosphere of constant antagonism and frequent "struggles" would spread to Hong Kong, turning this economic city - which had alway kept itself far away from politics and in which everyone had simply sought to live and work in peace and contentment - into a political city, then never would there be a day of peace and the territory would fall and never rise again…
The irony is that nowadays it is none other than the Central Government leaders who, like a "mother", keep earnestly and sincerely advising Hong Kong people to stop politicking and making self-inflicted setbacks. Stressing on putting an end to antagonism and concentrating energy again on economic development and improvement of people's livelihood has become a "must" in Central Government leaders' talks with personages from various sectors in Hong Kong.
It is no exception that this topic is brought up again and again at the "two annual sessions" of the NPC and CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) and in central leaders' talks with Hong Kong deputies to NPC and CPPCC. This time, Chairman Zhang Dejiang even "tempers justice with mercy", while making "an alarmist warning" that Shenzhen's economy will overtake Hong Kong's in two year, also coaxingly saying that a seat is reserved for Hong Kong in the express train of the nation's economic development.Whatever wording adopted, the meaning is the same: Hong Kong must stop making self-inflicted setbacks as "street politics" feeds no one.If Hong Kong goes on like this, it will fall behind other major cities in the country in development.Then how will Hong Kong people feel? Who can you blame for this? Why don't you centre on economic development, grasp opportunities and develop innovation and technology? Won't you make some deep self-reflection?
Such an advice by Zhang Dejiang is not only timely and necessary, but also points to the only opportunity for today's SAR to possibly end the years-long nightmare of antagonism and come back on the level road again. Only a new Chief Executive, who meets the four requirements of loving the nation and Hong Kong, being trusted by the Central Government, having the ability to govern and being supported by Hong Kong people, can possibly lead Hong Kong society to accomplish this change, develop the economy, improve people's livelihood, promote democracy and rebuild harmony.
As a matter of fact, the CE Election has provided Hong Kong society a good yet fleeting opportunity that knocks but once. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, one of the candidates and former Chief Secretary for Administration, is smart, capable, young and enterprising. A 100 per cent "Hong Kong girl", she has been in the government for over three decades, working with various departments and in various posts. She has won the title of a "good fighter" for long for her style of being capable of doing, daring and willing to her jobs. To choose a CE by a candidate's capability and experience in administration alone, no one is better than Carrie Lam.
What is more commendable is that such a senior female official is not only a "good fighter" in administration and governance, but even a better "fighter" in view of her political vision, breadth of mind and commitment. It was she who oversaw Hong Kong's aids to relief and reconstruction works in Wenchuan after the earthquake. In the battle over political reform and Occupy Central two year ago, she led the SAR Government's trio task force to insist that the NPC Standing Committee's August 31 Decision and laws must be followed. They sought opportunities to communicate with various parties including the pro-establishment and opposition camps to solicit their support. During the peak of Occupy Central, they met representatives of the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS), expressing their understanding of the students' enthusiasm but pointing out law breaking was intolerable. Thereafter, in fighting against "independence for Hong Kong", she upheld the "one country two systems" principle to safeguard national sovereignty and interests and safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity, stability and rule of law. She appeared neither haughty nor humble but indomitable, which was really quite impressive.
All in all, right now, it is the duty of Election Committee members and citizens who truly care about and love Hong Kong to support Carrie Lam, who meets the four requirements, to become the new CE.The rumour about "the Central Government' pre-appointment" is meaningless. Carrie Lam has the determination and ability to turn the table on "pan-politicisation", to lead Hong Kong society to get on the express train of the nation's economic development in which a seat is already reserved.
07 March 2017
