On the eve of Hong Kong’s 28th handover anniversary, Beijing’s newly appointed liaison office chief Zhou Ji called for bold reforms and greater unity, declaring that the city stands at a “critical stage of opening a new chapter.” Speaking at a gala event held Monday evening at the Hong Kong Coliseum, Zhou underscored the urgency for economic transformation and heightened vigilance on security to pave the way for long-term prosperity.
“Hong Kong is in a critical stage of opening a new chapter and realising new heights,” Zhou told the audience. “We must act proactively and seize the momentum for progress, building a better Hong Kong with united hearts.”
Zhou emphasized the need for structural reforms, urging the city to tap into “new productive forces” to drive economic renewal. “We need to move with the times, focus on residents’ needs, proactively identify, react and seek changes,” he said. “Innovative reform is essential to fully unleash the immense potential in society.”
At the same event, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled the theme of this year’s anniversary as: “United to advance from stability to prosperity, shaping our future through reform.” Lee echoed Zhou’s sentiments, vowing to deepen reforms and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as both a “superconnector” and “super-value adder.”
“As long as we are united as one… the Pearl of the Orient will shine brighter,” Lee declared, promising continued efforts to boost prosperity across all sectors.
The gala featured vibrant cultural performances, including a special appearance by Aristo Sham Ching-tao, Hong Kong’s celebrated pianist and recent winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Sham’s presence underscored the city’s commitment to excellence in arts and culture.
Earlier on Monday, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office published a commentary on its official WeChat channel titled “Determined in the path ahead, united in our stride forward,” affirming support for the current administration. The article praised recent achievements under the “one country, two systems” framework, including Hong Kong’s rise in global competitiveness rankings, the opening of a new international mediation organization, and the inclusion of three local universities in the global top 50 list.
The commentary lauded the “four mighty forces” propelling Hong Kong forward: national security laws, stable economic recovery, improved livelihood policies, and strengthened integration with the mainland. “National security ensures the safety of our home” has become a widely accepted principle, it noted, reinforcing the idea that patriotism is now central to governance in Hong Kong.
As part of the July 1 celebrations, a flag-raising ceremony will be held at Golden Bauhinia Square, followed by a government reception with remarks from Chief Executive Lee. Police are expected to enhance security patrols in key areas such as Victoria Park, Sogo in Causeway Bay, and the liaison office in Sai Wan.
Meanwhile, more than 8,800 shops and restaurants will join the celebrations by offering discounts, with over 3,800 food outlets participating, according to the Hong Kong Catering Industry Association. The Retail Management Association also announced a two-month shopping festival kicking off on the same day.
With a message of reform, security, and unity, Beijing’s top representative and Hong Kong’s leadership marked the occasion with a forward-looking agenda — setting the tone for the city’s next chapter in the post-handover era.
