The Hong Kong CPPCC Members Association, chaired by Ms. Cheng Cheung Ling, Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Sino Biopharm and Chairman of Beijing Tide Pharmaceuticals, held a ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the 16th anniversary of the Hong Kong CPPCC Members Association at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the evening of June 16. Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Mr. Leung Ching Ying; Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor; Chief Executive-designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. Lee Ka Chiu John; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, Mr. Tan Tieniu; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong, Mr. Liu Guangyuan; Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, Mr. Sun Qingye; Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po and Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah officiated at the ceremony to witness the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong CPPCC Members Association.

Chief Executive Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said in her speech that the past five years have been the most difficult five years since the handover, facing the most challenges. But no matter how big the problems and challenges are, the Central Government will always be the strongest backing for Hong Kong. In the past two years, under the guidance of the Central Government, Hong Kong has enacted a national security law and improved its electoral system. She believed that as long as the SAR Government ensures the principle of "patriots ruling Hong Kong", Hong Kong will be brilliant again.

Mr. Tan Tieniu, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, said that the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return back to the motherland has witnessed so many challenges such as the Asian financial turmoil, SARS, legislative amendments and the COVID-19 pandemic, but the practice of "One country, Two systems" in Hong Kong has achieved universally recognized success. He encouraged Hong Kong provincial CPPCC members to play a key role in the critical period, to enhance their political status, integrate into the overall development of the country, support the SAR government and the Chief Executive's administration in accordance with the law, as well as to reach out to the grassroots, and to promote friendly exchanges between China and foreign countries to increase foreign understanding of "One country, Two systems".

Ms. Cheng Cheung Ling said in her speech that since its establishment in 2006, the Association has always upheld the purpose of "serving the country, serving Hong Kong and serving the members", uniting and leading the CPPCC members at the provincial level in Hong Kong to play a "double active role" to promote the economic development of the motherland and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. In the future, the Association will continue to work hard in three areas, namely, enhancing its position and capacity to perform its duties, improving its ability to grasp public opinion and do a better job at the grassroots level, and strengthening the training of reserve forces for patriotism, so as to contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the opening of a new chapter for Hong Kong.

Mr. Irons Sze, President of the Hong Kong CPPCC Members Association, said that the Association will continue to support the SAR Government and the Chief Executive in their governance in accordance with the law, the practice of "One country, Two systems" and the implementation of the Basic Law, and help the SAR Government improve people's livelihood and resolve deep-rooted conflicts; and integrate the "strengths of Hong Kong and the needs of the country" into the overall development of the country.

People attending to the event include Bernard chan, the non-official member of the Executive Council convener; Yu Guochun, Tang Yingnian, Hu Dingxu, Wu Lianghao, Lin Jianyue, Cai Guanshen and Zhou Andayuan, members of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Zhang Yongzhen, former member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Permanent Honorary President of the Foundation; Wen Hongwu, General Manager of Bauhinia Culture Holdings Limited; Chan Fan, Secretary for Transport and Housing; Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Secretary for Food and Health; Huang Weilun, Secretary for Development; Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Education; Sit Wing-yung, Secretary for Innovation and Technology; Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs; Zhu Wen, Head of the Coordination Department of the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong; Siu Chak-yee, Commissioner of Police; Pak Susanna Pak, Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption; Ho Pui-shan, Commissioner of Customs and Excise; Au Ka-wang, Director of Immigration; Wong Kwok-hing, Commissioner of Correctional Services; Yeung Yan-kin, Director of Fire Services, etc. of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

At the event, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Leung Ching Ying, presented the Outstanding Contribution Award to the Chairwoman of the Association, Ms. Cheng Cheung Ling, and the President, Mr. Irons Sze. Chief Executive Ms. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive-elect Mr. Lee Ka Chiu John, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Tan Tieniu, and Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong Liu Guangyuan presented the Outstanding Conference Service Awards to the winning members. The Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong for the Maintenance of National Security, Mr. Sun Qingye, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, Mr. Paul Chan, the Secretary for Justice, Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, and the Director of the Coordination Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Zhu Wen, presented the Outstanding Member Awards to the winners. Ms. Li Ran and Mr. Cai Ghazan were presented with a certificate of appointment as Vice Chairman of the Foundation and a certificate of appreciation by Ms. Cheng Cheung Ling, Chairwoman of the Fellowship, and Mr. Irons Sze, President of the Fellowship respectively.

(Photo credit: Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group, Hong Kong CPPCC Members Association)