A “Mutual Thumbs-Up” with Jiangsu Provincial Leaders

On the afternoon of 22 January, Xin Changxing, Secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, and Governor Xu Kunlin met Hong Kong and Macao members and specially invited representatives attending the second session of the 13th Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the CPPCC. Zhang Hai, President of the UK Jiangsu Business Association, attended the meeting and was warmly received. Zhang Yizhen, Chair of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, also attended.

This was the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that Hong Kong and Macao CPPCC members and specially invited representatives had attended collectively in person. Plum blossom could be seen outside the windows while the atmosphere inside was warm and welcoming. The arrival of the provincial leaders further lifted the participants’ enthusiasm. Secretary Xin Changxing and Governor Xu Kunlin first extended their sincere greetings and thanked the delegates for their long-standing commitment to Jiangsu and their contribution to the province’s development.

Secretary Xin said that the previous year had been an exceptionally significant one in Jiangsu’s development. Across the province, people had followed the important speeches and instructions of Xi Jinping, kept their responsibilities firmly in mind, worked together with gratitude and determination, and advanced the theme of “taking the lead and setting an example”, achieving new progress across a range of areas. Advancing Chinese modernisation is a major task of the new era, while high-quality development remains a fundamental requirement. In the new year, Jiangsu would continue to pursue progress while maintaining stability, promote stability through progress, and establish the new before phasing out the old, demonstrating these priorities through new achievements in the province’s development.

Xin Changxing, Secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee

Outstanding representatives of the Hong Kong and Macao members and specially invited representatives delivered speeches at the meeting. “As someone from Jiangsu living away from home, I understand deeply my role as a bridge connecting Jiangsu with the world. We strongly support the timely introduction of the ‘42 measures’ and ‘28 measures’ and want to give our home province our wholehearted approval,” said Wu Hao, President of the Russian Association of Overseas Chinese Youth and Principal of the China International School in Russia.

“Over these years, everyone has worked with one heart and one purpose, focusing our efforts in the same direction and advancing the theme of ‘taking the lead and setting an example’. Everyone here has been part of that, and I want to give you my recognition as well,” Secretary Xin Changxing said. Looking ahead, he expressed the hope that participants would maintain a strong commitment to their country, keep national priorities in mind, seize development opportunities and fulfil their responsibilities conscientiously; remain committed contributors to national rejuvenation and firm supporters of ‘One Country, Two Systems’; and actively participate in Jiangsu’s practice of Chinese modernisation and the high-quality development of the CPPCC’s work. The provincial CPPCC should regularly seek the views and suggestions of Hong Kong and Macao members and specially invited representatives and maintain effective channels for information, consultation and engagement. The Provincial Party Committee would continue, as always, to value, support and care about the CPPCC’s work and create better conditions for members to fulfil their duties and pursue their work.