At 00:00 on July 1, 1997, the Five-star Red flag was solemnly hoisted in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China was officially established. In the 25 years since the reunification, the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong has achieved worldwide recognition and success.
Hong Kong is about to step into the second half of the 50-year-plan of "One Country, Two Systems". On the anniversary of the 25th year of Hong Kong handover, Asia Pacific Daily interviewed Dato' Ng Heng Chan, Director of the Board of National Language Agency, Ministry of Education in Malaysia(DBP), and Chairman of Han Culture Centre Malaysia. Dato' Ng Heng Chan described the relationship between the motherland and Hong Kong as "mother and child". According to him: "A mother has to consider the feelings of her child, as well as the child has to know the difficulties of the mother. The problem now is that the child does not realize the mother's suffering. However, the mother should not worry as the child needs time to learn."
Dato' Ng Heng Chan mentioned, as a highly prosperous cosmopolitan city, alongside of New York and London. It is the world's third largest financial center that is extremely special in its status. Hong Kong can reach even greater heights in the next 25 years with the generous support from the motherland. Hong Kong must be confident in its situation, and it must do so with enough belief.
Li Ka-chiu was elected as the new Chief Executive with a high percentage of 99.16% of the votes, in the election of the sixth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region held on 8th of May this year, which shows his is held high expectations from the people of Hong Kong. According to Dato' Ng Heng Chan’s point of view, Lee Ka-chiu's most important task as the Chief Executive is to inspire every Hong Kong people's confidence in Hong Kong and to mobilize every Hong Kong people's enthusiasm. "Hong Kong has long proved to the world that it’s capable to be a global financial center, but we are more expect that Hong Kong can become not only a financial center, but also a cultural and educational center. This will depend upon the endeavor from every Hong Kong people."
In recent years, Hong Kong is facing various of "uncertainties", including the 2019 amendment storm caused by social unrest, and in 2020, COVID-19 epidemic has overshadowed Hong Kong's economy. Dato' Ng Heng Chan believes that Hong Kong will withstand the challenges. The world is under the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic at this stage, and Hong Kong must retain its advantages. The future path will become more robust as long as Hong Kong withstand the tribulations.
Malaysia and Hong Kong trade is very close for a long time. Dato' Ng Heng Chan stated in an interview: "Malaysia has a lot of trades that are transited into mainland China and the world through Hong Kong. Hong Kong has a very robust financial system and is similar to Malaysia's financial system as well as legal procedures. Thus, Malaysia attaches great importance to its economic relations with Hong Kong. We look forward to further develop our relationship with Hong Kong in the future. We are very optimistic about Hong Kong's economic future and believe that Hong Kong will leverage its strengths to secure its position as the world's financial center and obtain solid achievements in a more comprehensive, diversified and robust manner."
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)