HK set to thrive again, Xi says in New Year speech
President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended a New Year's message to the nation and the world, saying that his visit to Hong Kong earlier this year had shown him that the SAR was ready to thrive again. Xi paid tribute in the annual speech to Jiang Zemin, the former president who died this year, declared the Winter Olympics and Paralaympics a resounding success, and hailed the latest developments in the nation's space programme. He also called for perseverance and solidarity in the fight against Covid-19. "On my visit to Hong Kong earlier this year, I was deeply glad to see that Hong Kong has restored order and is set to thrive again," the president said in a speech carried by official broadcaster CCTV. "With determined implementation of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong and Macao will surely enjoy long-term prosperity and stability."  On the Covid pandemic, Xi said China's leaders had "put the people first and put life first all along" and had adapted its Covid response in light of the evolving situation to protect health and life. "We have now entered a new phase of Covid response where tough challenges remain," he said. "Everyone is holding on with great fortitude, and the light of hope is right in front of us. Let's make an extra effort to pull through, as perseverance and solidarity mean victory." Looking ahead, Xi said China would be "a country that performs miracles through hard work" and would draw its strength from unity. "Ours is a big country. It is only natural for different people to have different concerns or hold different views on the same issue," Xi said. "What matters is that we build consensus through communication and consultation. When the 1.4 billion Chinese work with one heart and one mind, and stand in unity with a strong will, no task will be impossible and no difficulty insurmountable."