Hong Kong marked China’s 77th National Day amid heightened efforts to further integrate the city with the mainland’s development agenda. This year’s observance coincides with significant political and economic developments both in China and Hong Kong.
President Xi Jinping’s National Day address followed his recent state visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump in the second of four planned summits within a year. Xi’s speech emphasized national pride in China’s progress since becoming a republic in 1949 and projected confidence in the country’s ability to navigate a challenging international environment. He highlighted the importance of balancing reform and opening-up policies with national security concerns and reaffirmed commitment to the “one country, two systems” framework, promising increased support for Hong Kong and Macau’s integration into China’s broader development goals.
In Hong Kong, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the city’s first five-year development plan, designed to align closely with China’s 15th five-year plan. Lee described this initiative as a pathway for Hong Kong to leverage its unique status under “one country, two systems” and capitalize on emerging trends, particularly in technology and artificial intelligence, amid a shifting geopolitical climate. He pledged to maintain Hong Kong’s capitalist system, common law framework, and the free flow of people, capital, and information in accordance with the city’s Basic Law.
Lee underscored Hong Kong’s historical role as an international hub and reiterated the city’s contribution to national progress, noting China’s evolution into the world’s largest manufacturer and leading contributor to scientific research. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted the potential benefits of recent warming in China-U.S. relations, suggesting that increased dialogue between the two economic powers could reduce global uncertainties and create new opportunities for Hong Kong as a bridge between China and global markets.
The National Day celebrations in Hong Kong featured a fireworks display over Victoria Harbour, coinciding with the start of the annual “golden week” holiday. The city anticipates welcoming approximately 1.29 million mainland tourists during the period, a figure expected to bolster local retail and dining sectors. Officials encouraged the community to embrace the holiday spirit and make visitors feel welcome, emphasizing collective efforts and unity amid ongoing transformation.
Lee invoked a historical Chinese proverb to stress the importance of collaboration in implementing the city’s development plan, highlighting that success depends on collective wisdom and shared commitment from all sectors of society. As Hong Kong advances its strategic blueprint, officials remain focused on balancing economic modernization with the preservation of its distinct social and legal systems under China’s sovereignty.