The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China successfully concluded after approving a resolution on Tuesday in Beijing. In the monumental resolution, the ruling party lists upholding the principle of "one country, two systems" and promoting national reunification as an integral part of the nation's "basic policy underpinning our endeavors to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era". That effectively and categorically squashed all speculation and rumors circulating in Hong Kong and elsewhere in recent months purporting that "one country, two systems" would end.

Evidently certain politically motivated groups were dying to make people believe their wishful thinking would come true but, as always, proved wrong. Once again they underestimated the CPC's wisdom and determination to achieve national reunification or the nation's resolve to defeat all separatist attempts. In fact, their desperate wish for "one country, two systems" to go away is unmistakable proof of how brilliant the principle is and how effective it has been. After all, it was the separatist forces' own fault to try and deceive people with their misinterpretation of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law of the special administrative region in the first place.

The "one country, two systems" formula is a unique invention that applies only in China. On top of territorial integrity there is also the cultural DNA and family bond of flesh and blood of the Chinese nation. No different social or political systems can change all those historical facts. The CPC, as the governing party of the great Chinese nation, has always been mindful of its responsibility to remind the rest of the world as well as the Chinese people - including those in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan - of its determination to achieve peaceful reunification of the nation. It doesn't matter how long it will take the country to achieve national reunification, in addition to building itself into a strong and prosperous nation.

The resolution states: "We shall see that our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao share both the historic responsibility of national rejuvenation and the pride of a strong and prosperous China." With the 19th National Congress of the CPC having set the goals and plans to achieve them in terms of national development, it is up to Hong Kong society itself to join and benefit from the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and civilization.

The fifth-term Hong Kong SAR Government, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, is determined to make sure Hong Kong not only stays onboard the "express train" of national development but also plays a proactive role as best it can on the epic journey. We are confident the great majority of Hong Kong residents will support the SAR government in fulfilling its constitutional obligation of helping safeguard the sovereignty, security and development interests of the nation, because they know their own prosperity depends on it.

(HK Edition 10/25/2017 page10)