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China Daily Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Zhou Shuchun, delivered the welcome address in Hong Kong at China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable forum "Guangdong-HK-Macao Greater Bay Area from the Belt & Road Perspective: Opportunities and Challenges" on Oct 9, to mark the 20th anniversary of China Daily Hong Kong Edition.
Here is the full transcript of his speech.
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I am extremely happy and deeply honored to be here this morning. This is the 20th anniversary of both Hong Kong SAR and China Daily Hong Kong Edition. For 20 years China Daily Hong Kong Edition dedicated itself to the service of the city. As a member of the China Daily family I feel very proud to be able to witness this moment.
China Daily Hong Kong Edition was founded to cater to the city's huge community of English-speaking readers — to bring them news, views and in-depth research-based features from across China, and beyond.
Established after the Hong Kong SAR came into being, China Daily Hong Kong Edition was tasked with upholding the values of "one country, two systems" principle, outlining its scope and clarifying the nuances according to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR for its readers.
As President Xi Jinping pointed out when he was here this past July to attend the events held to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, "One country, two systems" gives expression to the vision of peace and harmony in the Chinese culture. It embodies a very important tenet, namely, seeking broad common ground while setting aside major differences.
I am happy to note that the Hong Kong Edition of China Daily, through its reports and opinion pieces, has been promoting exactly such a value system, founded on the principles of national interest, harmony and common good. Today it's a well-respected and influential paper, having acquired a substantial local and international following across its different platforms accessible in both print and digital forms.
My sincere congratulations to the China Daily Hong Kong Edition team for putting in the hard work and dedication that has turned the paper into a credible source of news and views. It shows in the news awards they keep winning every year, competing with the heavyweights in the media industry.
Like many of you present here I am also quite eager to listen to the highly-esteemed panelists about the scope for Hong Kong's growth in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The initiative was launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, looking to revive and bring new vitality to the ancient trade route extending from China to the Middle-East and beyond, and combining it with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, spanning more than half the world, from China to Europe and beyond.
As we all know, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development project is meant to develop nine cities in Guangdong province along with Hong Kong and Macao into a world-class cluster for technology and business. Hong Kong, because of its strategic position, is all set to play a significant role in both projects.
In a few minutes we will hear from those who understand the scenario best about how Hong Kong might use this opportunity to leverage its strengths — its solid foundation in trading, finance and litigation, its inclusivity and cosmopolitan culture — and emerge as one of the mighty players in the world stage of commerce.
I imagine many of you are looking for answers to specific questions related to the theme. Should Hong Kong's entrepreneurs rethink their current business models to adapt better to the coming climate of resource sharing? How might Hong Kong emerge as a key contributor to programs being drawn up by the central government towards the Greater Bay Area development?
I have a few questions of my own as well.
