Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Central People's Government's Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said in a recent interview that implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in the HKSAR has been a success despite various obstructions and challenges over the past 20 years. He emphasized that Hong Kong should remain confident about the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and trust the SAR government will do its best to maintain Hong Kong's stability and prosperity according to the Basic Law.

Zhang also said the central government is committed to ensuring the "One Country, Two Systems" principle is precisely and completely implemented in Hong Kong as always, adding that Hong Kong compatriots owe it to themselves to take full advantage of "One Country, Two Systems" as they build a better future as an inalienable part of China. To do so, as Zhang and Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on different occasions more than once, Hong Kong people should rekindle the "Lion Rock Spirit" as an inspiration.

The "Lion Rock Spirit" is derived from the famously uplifting canto-pop classic Below the Lion Rock. The song has been a great inspiration over the years to people of all ages when life became rough and challenging. Indeed, Hong Kong society has experienced some very tough moments since the handover 20 years ago but was never defeated, thanks to its fighting spirit and resilience as well as unreserved assistance from the central authorities in accordance with the Basic Law and the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

Today, as the Western world struggles to recover from an economic slowdown caused by the financial crisis of 2008, it is time once again for Hong Kong society to invoke the "Lion Rock Spirit" in a new light, because the world has changed greatly since the days of Hong Kong's economy taking-off in the 1970s. For one thing British rule ended 20 years ago. We now have "One Country, Two Systems" - the best system guarantee the city has ever had, not to mention assured support from the motherland and the central government.

As Zhang pointed out in the interview, the HKSAR could have done even better in faithfully implementing "One Country, Two Systems" according to the Basic Law had it not been distracted by constant political wrangling. In this respect Hong Kong residents can draw on the "Lion Rock Spirit" all the same in its fight against any adversity, be it man-made or natural, rally behind the new administration and work together for an even better future.

(HK Edition 06/20/2017 page8)