Hong Kong guests inspired by mainland youths' vitality

Peaceful emergence of motherland will help SAR get back on track, say visitors

Guests of honor from Hong Kong expressed pride in attending the National Day celebrations in Beijing, and placed high hopes in the special administrative region's involvement in the country's rapid development.

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, was impressed by the vitality of young people participating in the parade.

"What I have seen today is a country full of vigor and vitality, with young people forging ahead in high spirits. This presents a sharp contrast to young people in the Western world who feel confused and pessimistic about their countries' prospects and those lost sheep in Hong Kong who go around preaching violence," Lau said.

"The ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong can never stop the rise of our motherland. Instead, it is the peaceful emergence of our country that can get Hong Kong back on the right track."

In his speech before the parade on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping said that China would "uphold 'one country, two systems', and maintain lasting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao".

The remarks echoed the speech Xi delivered at a reception on the eve of the massive National Day celebrations, where he pledged unwavering commitment to the policies of "one country, two systems".

Xi told the reception he had every faith that "Hong Kong and Macao will prosper and progress alongside the mainland, and that the regions will embrace a brighter future".

Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, former president of Hong Kong's Legislative Council said: "President Xi … has already said the implementation of the Basic Law, the legal basis of implementing 'one country, two systems', must not be derailed or obstructed. It has to be implemented in its original intention.

"There has never been any deviation from this aim, and there have never been any statements or actions that contradict this objective," Fan said. "The welfare of Hong Kong people has been, and will continue to be, one of the major considerations of the central government."

Fan, who is also a former Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said what impressed her most about this year's parade is the "sense of unity among all the people in Tian'anmen Square".

"This is because we are one nation. What we strive for is prosperity, harmony, peace, and better living, not only for us, but for people all around the world," she said.

Hong Kong scientist Chan Chingchuen was also in Beijing to watch the parade. The world-renowned electric vehicle expert also observed the 50th and 60th anniversary celebrations.

He said this year's National Day celebrations were grander in scale and content. China's transformation from a poor agrarian society into an industrial powerhouse was a development miracle never seen before in the history of mankind, Chan said.

He added that Xi's speeches had "guided us to embark on a new journey for the next stage of national development".

Ashley Tse Hiu-hung, a member of the Youth Development Commission of Hong Kong, said under the "one country, two systems" policy, the city had what it takes to ride out the storm and head for a better tomorrow.

She said Hong Kong's young people should play a more proactive role as China charts its course for further development. "The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area－a hotbed of innovation－is where Hong Kong youth should be deeply rooted and making contributions," Tse said.

Wu Siu-kit, the youngest of 10 Hong Kong police officers invited to attend National Day celebrations in Beijing, said he was excited and proud to watch the parade.

Foreigners from Hong Kong were also thrilled.

Grenville Cross, former director of public prosecutions of Hong Kong, said he applauded the event as a "marvelous, extremely well-organized occasion".