Foreign news

Xi Jinping: Next five years ‘crucial time’ for Hong Kong to make breakthroughs

Published

3 years ago

July 2, 2022

The practice of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong has achieved accomplishments “recognized worldwide,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said on a visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Friday.

Xi made the remarks at a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the HKSAR.

Xi said Hong Kong’s return opened a new epoch in its history during which it has made irreplaceable contributions to the miracle of long-term, steady and fast economic development of the motherland.

Hong Kong has become an integral part of the country’s overall development and actively aligned with national development strategies, the president said. It has continued to maintain the strengths of being highly free and open and compatible with international rules, he added.

Hong Kong has played an important role in advancing the new paradigm of China’s opening up on a larger scale, across more areas and in greater depth, he said.

The next five years will be crucial for Hong Kong to achieve breakthroughs, Xi said, calling for joint efforts from the new HKSAR government and all social sectors to improve governance, strengthen growth drivers, address difficulties in people’s lives, and safeguard harmony and stability.

Full, faithful implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’

Xi stressed the need to fully and faithfully implement the “One Country, Two Systems” policy.

Upholding national sovereignty together with security and development interests are paramount in the policy, he said. On the basis of this prerequisite, Hong Kong and Macao should maintain their capitalist system over the long run and enjoy a high degree of autonomy, he added.

Calling on Hong Kong to keep strengthening the momentum of development, Xi said the central government fully supports the HKSAR in aligning with national development strategies, developing more extensive and closer exchanges and cooperation with the world, advancing reforms in an active and prudent manner, and fully unleashing the enormous creativity and development vitality of Hong Kong society.

John Lee was sworn in as the sixth-term chief executive of the HKSAR at a ceremony overseen by President Xi.

In his inauguration speech, Lee said Hong Kong has encountered various challenges in the last 25 years, including the global financial crisis, social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, but has overcome all of them, thanks to the “resilience and strong will” of the people, as well as unique advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” policy.

He vowed to adopt a “results-oriented approach” to tackle Hong Kong’s long-term issues, such as housing and land supply, whilst bolstering the city’s overall competitiveness in its traditional role as a global financial hub and as an emerging center for innovation and technology, as well as arts and cultural exchange.

(CGTN’s Huang Fei contributed to the story.)

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Foreign news

NTAC Hails Tinubu; Volunteers Ready to Positively Impact Nigerians

Published

5 days ago

June 4, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has commended President Bola Tinubu for funding the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Scheme.

The Director General (DG) of NTAC , Dr Yusuf Yakub, made the commendation during a ceremony to receive five returning TAC volunteers from Zanzibar, Tanzania on Tuesday in Abuja.
The returning volunteers also expressed readiness to impact knowledge gained from participating in the programme on Nigerians.

TAC is a mechanism for Nigeria’s foreign aid and technical assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries through the use of Nigeria’s abundant trained manpower.

Yakub lauded Tinubu’s visionary leadership and steadfast support for the TAC Scheme.

Welcoming the volunteers who had discharged themselves as worthy ambassadors in Zanzibar, the D-G thanked them for their patriotism, dedication to service and for making Nigeria proud on the international arena.

The NTAC boss highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, while announcing that certificates of completion will be presented to the volunteers in line with the noble objectives of the service.

He also emphasised the volunteers’ crucial role in passing on the skills and experiences gained in Zanzibar.

He expressed optimism that their efforts would positively impact the lives of Nigerians across the country and shape the expectations and service-delivery of future prospective volunteers.

Earlier speaking, Amb. Zakari Usman, the Director of Programmes for NTAC, expressed gratitude to the D-G for his unwavering support and provision for the volunteers throughout their service period.
He said that the volunteers had so delivered on the mandate of the agency that citizens of Zanzibar did not want them to leave their country.
Popoola Adegoke, the Team Lead and a Mathematics Instructor for the batch of returning volunteers, was full of gratitude to the Federal Government for providing them the opportunity to participate in the scheme.

Adegoke said that Nigeria, was well blessed and had the abundance of both human and natural resources to contribute meaningfully to the development of many countries of the world.

He said that the need to continue the TAC Scheme was not negotiable, owing to its high impact and results.

Mohammed Salisu, a Physicist, said that the experience had broadened his horizon as his orientation during the last 24 months in Zanzibar, especially on the cultural exchange.

He lauded the government for the scheme, saying that Nigeria is seen and perceived to be higher in all ranking, especially in the standard of living and educational system.

He also appealed to the government to sustain the scheme to close the gaps both the educational and professional systems in the African, Caribbean and the Pacific Countries.
NAN

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