Editor's note: This is an edited translation from an editorial initially published in the People's Daily in Chinese on June 17, 2019.

On June 15, Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), announced that the HK government would suspend the revision of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and restart the public consultation.

People from all sectors in Hong Kong expressed their support for this decision in the hope that the city would return to peace as soon as possible and refocus on economic and social development. 

The central government in Beijing firmly supports the law-based action of the chief executive and the HK government in safeguarding the rule of law and the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens. It opposes the interference of external forces in China's internal affairs, especially that of HK, and supports the HK government's decision to suspend the revision of the ordinance and further consult on the public's opinion. 

It's hoped that the general public of Hong Kong can take rational and peaceful measures to safeguard the stability of their shared homeland and join their hearts and minds to promote the prosperity and development of Hong Kong. 

During her two years in office, in the spirit of "aiming high and getting the tough work done," Carrie Lam has led the Hong Kong SAR government to serve the city and the country, firmly safeguard the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law, carefully plan Hong Kong's long-term development, actively promote the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative.

She has been committed to addressing the issues that matter to the vital interests of the residents and creating favorable conditions for the growth and development of young people. She has done a very good job on all these fronts. The central government fully recognizes her work and the HK government's endeavors.

Security provides the basic assurance for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. The Hong Kong SAR government proposed the amendment of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance governing the surrender of fugitives to close the loopholes in the existing legal framework and promote social justice. Therefore, it is legitimate and necessary.

China's central government firmly supports the amendment and believes that through the hard work of the HK government and rational discussions among all walks of life, the Hong Kong society will be able to overcome doubts, reach consensus and jointly safeguard Hong Kong's status as the beacon of rule of law in the international community.

Development fuels Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. At present, seeking development, maintaining stability and promoting harmony are the shared desire of people in Hong Kong and the mission of the HK government. The integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area represents an important opportunity to promote HK's new advantages and enables HK to play a new role, achieve new development and make new contributions.

Simply put, it provides a wider stage for Hong Kong to pursue prosperity and development. The central government highly values Hong Kong's comparative advantages and its role in building the Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong is encouraged to integrate itself into the grand strategy of national development to provide a better life for its people.

As a city central to the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong has been assigned the task of driving the development of surrounding areas. Hong Kong needs to consolidate and enhance its position as an international financial and aviation hub, and a shipping and trading center. It also needs to promote development characterized by high-end and high value-added finance, commerce, logistics and professional services as well as vigorously develop innovation and technology industries and build an international legal and dispute resolution service center in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The time and opportunity cannot be missed." It is hoped that the Hong Kong SAR government will continue to unite and lead people in Hong Kong to work together and strive for progress. 

Hong Kong should seize the opportunity of the new round of reform and opening-up and harness its strengths to meet the needs of the country. It's also imperative for HK to maintain stable economic growth, continuously improve people's standard of living, and implement various policies and measures benefiting the people.

It is hoped that all sectors in Hong Kong will act in the fundamental interests of Hong Kong by forging a broad consensus, safeguarding social stability, promoting economic development, and valuing the rule of law, and ensure Hong Kong's steady progress on the right track under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law.

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