Entering the year 2018, internal and external economic circumstances are excellent. In a single day yesterday, good news flew in one piece after another, giving a feast for the eyes: the Mainland's gross domestic product (GDP) exceeded RMB 80-trillion for the first time, up 6.9 per cent year on year; Hong Kong's stock market hit 32,000 - a record high in history, and unemployment rate was 2.9 per cent - a record low in two decades…
Genuine changes implied in this "astronomical figure" of RMB 80-trillion are more worthy of Hong Kong people's attention and delight. Ning Jizhe, Commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China, pointed out yesterday that China's economy has moved from the stage of high-speed growth to the stage of high-quality growth. The national economic aggregate is already huge, and regional economic aggregates are not small either - with quite many provinces and regions catching up with G20 countries economically. Therefore, there is an urgent need to turn big into strong. The Central Government has also specifically made promoting high-quality development a fundamental requirement for development in 2018 and launched a series of policies and measures accordingly, setting this year's priority task to devote efforts to guide the economy into the direction of high-quality development.
Commenting on Hong Kong's unemployment rate dropping below three per cent yesterday, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Law Chi-kwong also attributed the drop to such factors as steady economic growth in Hong Kong, strong external demand due to improving global economic environment, and steady growth in internal demand.
In the past, Hong Kong has experienced quite a lot of many financial disturbances and economic fluctuations and also faced quite many opportunities, gains and losses. But in terms of the momentum and nature of development, this time is quite different from any in the past. The crux of the matter lies in the fact that China's economy has truly entered a new era in which it is master of its own destiny to take the lead in the world and benefit peripheral regions. A new economic era of socialism with Chinese characteristics is arriving and progressing with irresistible tremendous momentum. In face of such a historical trend, what one - be it the SAR Government, an enterprise or an ordinary citizen - should feel delighted is not only about how much unemployment rate has dropped or how much profit has been made from the stock market today, but more about business opportunities created and favourable circumstances brought about by the enormous strength burst out from the 1.3 billion people coupled with an advantageous system. It is very fortunate for Hong Kong, being born under a lucky star, to have been reserved a best "seat" to ride on this significant opportunity. If Hong Kong people still don't know how to "get aboard" but keep quarreling with each other for endless internal friction, then, sorry, the "RMB 80-trillion" won't wait for you. The "express train" of the Chinese economy won't slow down without Hong Kong. On the contrary, it is Hong Kong that will have big trouble if it misses this train.
Therefore, Hong Kong society right now must really sober up from the so-called "political fog", and become truly aware of where lies our fortune or misfortune, our advantage or disadvantage. We must no longer allow ourselves to be led by the nose by so-called political issues instigated by the opposition, but must see what the real problems are. The Colocation Arrangement for the express rail link has been approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), so it is a waste of time to continue arguing over so-called "source of power". It is even more a joke to ask a Hong Kong court to "scrutinise" whether the NPC's decision is unconstitutional. The SAR Government is known as a "hot kitchen" and it is hard to find someone to take up the job as the Secretary for Justice. Now, with great efforts spent, Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah is willing to take up the post. But some people decline to look into her commitment and capability but instead going to her house to "dig up thoroughly" to look for "Unauthorised Building Works (UBW)" and demanding her to step down. If they are not out of their minds, then what else is all this meant?
The current excellent situation is not easy to come by. Opportunity knocks at the door only once. Right now, for Hong Kong society, nothing is more urgent and important than to support the SAR Government's governing in accordance with the law and to enhance Hong Kong's integration with the Mainland for the sake of economic development.
19 January 2018
