Editor's Note: President Xi Jinping delivered his New Year address on Friday to ring in 2022, calling for unity and concerted efforts to ensure sound implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong for the long term. Edward Liu Yang, vice-president of the Hong Kong and Mainland Legal Professional Association, said he believes Xi's speech has shed light on the way forward for Hong Kong's governance and development in the coming new year.

President Xi's speech was thought-provoking and inspiring, and will serve as a beacon for Hong Kong's governance and prosperous development in the coming new year.

We are optimistic that as long as we continue to adhere to the framework established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, the realization of a democratic Hong Kong electoral system in the whole process will strengthen the rule of law in Hong Kong, promote a world-class business environment, establish a harmonious social atmosphere, and effectively resolve the various deep-rooted issues that have beset Hong Kong for a long time.

We will ultimately restore prosperity in Hong Kong and achieve a stable and long-term development of "one country, two systems".