Phoenix TV: Today we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. This morning a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was held. At the same time, some Western countries including the US and the UK issued statements claiming that Hong Kong’s democracy and rule of law had been undermined and that China had failed to comply with its commitment to One Country, Two Systems. What’s China’s comment?

Zhao Lijian: Today we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. President Xi Jinping personally attended the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term HKSAR government, and visited the Hong Kong SAR. He was warmly greeted by people from various sectors.

President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. He fully recognized the success seen by the world of One Country, Two Systems in the past 25 years. He stressed that One Country, Two Systems is a sound policy that has been well-tested in practice. It serves the fundamental interests of the country and the entire nation, and serves the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and Macao. It has the overwhelming support of the over 1.4 billion Chinese people and has been fully endorsed by residents across Hong Kong and Macao. It has also been well-received internationally. President Xi underscored that the Central Government will remain firmly committed over the long term to the policy of One Country, Two Systems without deviating. He also stressed the importance of applying the policy fully and faithfully, of ensuring a high degree of autonomy in the SAR while upholding the Central Authorities’ overall jurisdiction, of following the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong, and of maintaining Hong Kong’s unique status and advantages. President Xi’s important speech has drawn up a blueprint for Hong Kong’s development as it enters the new stage of transition from governance to greater prosperity, and pointed the way to achieve steady and continued success of One Country, Two Systems. We are convinced that with the strong leadership and firm support of the Central Government, with the great motherland having its back, and with the united efforts of the over seven million Hong Kong compatriots, Hong Kong will surely create an even brighter future.

At this joyous moment for Hong Kong compatriots and all other Chinese, certain Western countries chose to wantonly criticize the practice of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong and point their fingers at Hong Kong affairs, which are purely China’s domestic affairs. We firmly oppose and strongly condemn this. These countries keep stressing the importance of democracy and human rights, but remain oblivious to their own serious problems and poor track records. They have no authority to pass judgement on a prospering, stable, united and flourishing Hong Kong. We want to make it clear to these countries that no attempt to maliciously smear the success of One Country, Two Systems will lead anywhere; no attempt to meddle in China’s internal affairs will succeed; no external force will bar the steady and continued success of One Country, Two Systems or stop Hong Kong from enjoying lasting prosperity and stability.