Hong Kong – Session on spirit of “The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China” held by Civil Service Bureau (with photos)

     The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded victoriously on October 22 in Beijing. The National Congress approved a report presented by Secretary General Xi Jinping on behalf of the 19th CPC Central Committee, which stressed that the “one country, two systems” principle is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Civil Service Bureau held a session on the spirit of the 20th National Congress at the Central Government Offices today (October 28). The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended as keynote speaker, so as to enable the participants to have a deeper exploration and understanding of the spirit of the 20th National Congress and the positioning and role of Hong Kong.

     Secretary General Xi, in his report delivered to the Congress, said, “The 20th National Congress is a meeting of great importance. It takes place at a critical time as the entire Party and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal.”

     Addressing the session, Mr Lee said, “The 20th National Congress has conducted a thorough review of the Party’s major achievements and invaluable experience in the new era, providing in-depth analysis on the international and domestic development, and formulating an action plan for the next five years’ development. It drives planning and deployment for the endeavours of the country from a strategic perspective, and bears profound immediate importance and milestone historical significance. 

     “The report of the 20th National Congress stressed the advancement for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernisation. It also provided a systematic elaboration on the new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies on the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and mentioned the support for Hong Kong in growing its economy and improving people’s livelihood, and resolving deep-seated issues and problems in economic and social development. It also mentioned giving full play to the strengths and distinctive features of Hong Kong for better integration into China’s overall development. It is an important guide for Hong Kong to promote a transition from chaos to order, and now advancing from stability to prosperity.

     “An accurate understanding on the essence of the 20th National Congress would help facilitate our understanding of our country’s policies and the steady and successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’ so that we can better leverage on our strengths and characteristics for a better Hong Kong.

     “I hope that the top echelon and the civil service of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) can have an in-depth understanding of the spirit of the 20th National Congress, and continue to adopt the ‘four musts’ and the ‘four proposals’ raised by the Secretary General as a governance blueprint in contributing to the country and Hong Kong with our strengths.”

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, and the Head of the Civil Service College, Mr Oscar Kwok, also shared their thoughts and feelings at the session. Mrs Yeung said that the positioning of the HKSAR in the country is based upon the edge of the HKSAR and it should better integrate itself into the country’s overall development. She expressed the hope that the Heads of Departments would encourage colleagues to learn more about the country, adding that the Civil Service College will also organise training programmes on contemporary China and the Holistic View of National Security.

     In addition, other participants including the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, also shared their views at the session. 

     The session today was attended by over 130 participants, including Secretaries of Departments, Deputy Secretaries of Departments, Directors of Bureaux and other Principal Officials, Members of the Executive Council, and Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments.