Premier Li Qiang pledged in his annual work report that the central government will fully implement One Country, Two Systems, while reiterating Beijing's resolve to advance the cause of national unification.

Li made the remarks at the opening of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday. Apart from recapping the government's work in 2025, he also laid down 10 targets for this year.

Hong Kong came up numerous times in the 35-page report, most notably in the 10th and final target of "strengthening risk prevention and mitigation, and enhancing security capacity in key areas".

"We will resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong, and the people of Macao administer Macao," the premier read.

"And we will see that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots, so as to raise the governance efficiency and foster economic and social development."

He also pledged support for the two SARs to integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

The report also called for the full integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, including the construction of a world-class tech hub in the Greater Bay Area.

On the Taiwan issue, Li made clear Beijing's position.

"We will stay committed to the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, resolutely fight against separatist forces aimed at 'Taiwan independence', and oppose external interference so as to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the cause of national reunification," he said.



Edited by Cecil Wong