Join Hands To Charge Ahead For A Splendid New Chapter
Address at the 2026 Spring Festival Reception Hosted by
the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Zhou Ji
The Honourable Vice-Chairman Leung Chun-ying,
The Honourable Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu，
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished Guests,
Good evening, everyone! As we bid farewell to the Year of the Snake, we are about to usher in the Year of the Horse. By the Chinese lunar calendar, today also marks the start of spring—a truly auspicious day. We are gathered here to look back on an exceptional year and to share our hopes for the new year. On behalf of Director Xia Baolong and representing the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I would like to extend our very best Chinese New Year wishes to all distinguished guests and to the people of Hong Kong.
Over the past year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the country has made historic progress in all national endeavors. The country witnessed the successful accomplishment of the 14th Five-Year Plan, with its economy expanding to over 140 trillion yuan, and its economic, technological, defense, and comprehensive national strength elevated to new heights. Innovation has powered high-quality development, as evidenced by a surge in achievements like AI large language models, and vibrant new industries, business forms, and models. Cultural icons such as the Monkey King and Ne Zha have captured the world's imagination, and the cultural and tourism sectors are thriving. Chinese culture, a blend of tradition and modernity, shines with vitality and diversity. China rolled out a raft of measures to open its doors wider, and the "Four Global Initiatives" garnered broad support. A confident, open, and stable China continues to inject much-needed certainty into a world fraught with instability. The magnificent Victory Day military parade demonstrated China’s firm resolve to safeguard peace. The successful co-hosting of the 15th National Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao showcased the promising development of the Greater Bay Area. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China charted a new blueprint for high-quality development, setting the giant ship of Chinese modernization on a course to sail toward a promising future.
President Xi Jinping has always cared about Hong Kong's development and the well-being of its citizens, supported the region in better integrating into and serving the country’s overall development, and guided Hong Kong to embark on a new journey from stability to prosperity. Over the past year, Hong Kong's economy has sustained robust growth, with its Gross Domestic Product growing by 3.5%. It led the world in IPO fundraising, accelerated the development of the Northern Metropolis, and opened the Hetao Hong Kong Park, thereby gaining stronger momentum for high-quality development. This progress is matched by improved livelihoods: the average waiting time for public housing has dropped, median household income has risen, and new medical and elderly care initiatives have been rolled out. "Community Living Rooms" are offering vital support to the grassroots, turning Hong Kong into an increasingly heartwarming and cozy city. Over the past year, Hong Kong has resolutely safeguarded national sovereignty, security, and development interests. People from all walks of life have worked in concert to meet challenges and protect their home city, maintaining social harmony and stability. This past year also saw Hong Kong hosting a series of mega events and summits, boosting the confidence of the international community and investors, and attracting a growing influx of visitors from home and abroad. The city continues to be rated the world's freest economy, boasts high rankings in competitiveness, finance, and talent, and is home to five top-100 universities. The opening of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong also showcases a distinctively Chinese approach of “peace and harmony” to resolving international disputes. The Pearl of the Orient is radiating with renewed and dazzling brilliance.
Over the past year, Hong Kong has made remarkable headway, thanks to the institutional strength of the One Country, Two Systems constitutional arrangement, the strong support of the Central Government and the mainland, as well as the collective efforts of the local community, including everyone here. We shall not forget the wave of patriotism that swept across Victoria Harbour when the naval fleet led by the aircraft carrier Shandong visited Hong Kong. We shall not forget the sight of voters, from centenarians to young students, turning out in force for the Eighth Legislative Council election, writing a new chapter in high-quality democracy. We shall not forget the solidarity demonstrated by the local community in battling typhoons and rainstorms, and the selfless efforts of community forces like the Care Teams across 18 districts in providing aid and relief. We shall not forget the mutual assistance within society in the wake of the Tai Po fire, as everyone came together through sleepless nights, gathering powerful, positive energy to overcome adversity. These unforgettable moments remind us that by embracing the Lion Rock Spirit and standing united, Hong Kong can courageously overcome adversity and move steadily from stability toward prosperity.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
A long journey is conquered step by step; an arduous task is accomplished through sustained effort. In the new year, we are confident that Hong Kong will steadfastly uphold and improve the executive-led system, with the new-term Legislative Council supporting the government without overstepping its role in oversight, so that sound interaction is established between the executive and legislative branches to jointly enhance the efficiency of the SAR’s law-based governance. We are confident that Hong Kong will proactively align itself with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan and vigorously engage in the development of the Greater Bay Area. By integrating into and serving the country’s overall development, Hong Kong is bound to achieve greater progress. We are convinced that Hong Kong will surely do a better job of balancing development and security, and cultivate new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions. The people of Hong Kong will embrace their role as “reformers who rise to the challenge rather than complacent idlers”, so as to solidly advance high-quality economic development. The dividends of development, sound governance, and the assurance of security will ultimately translate into tangible benefits for all Hong Kong residents. When city residents are living fulfilling lives, Hong Kong, this shared home, will prosper.
Over the past year, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has received strong support from the local community, and for that, we are deeply grateful. In the new year, we will continue to fully and faithfully implement the One Country, Two Systems policy, and remain steadfast in our commitment. We will give our full backing to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and the SAR government in exercising law-based governance. We will spare no effort to help Hong Kong achieve even greater development. In doing so, we aim to make greater contributions to advancing the building of a great country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.
Before I close, let us wish our great nation prosperity and success! May Hong Kong charge ahead like a galloping horse toward a boundless future! To all our friends, I wish you good health, happy families, dreams fulfilled, and immediate success!
Thank you, everyone!
