[Explanation] August 18, 2020 is the 40th anniversary of Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, taking office.
40 years ago, when she was only 23 years old, she walked into the Lower Albert Road Government Office to report and joined the ranks of administrative directors.
After that, she held nearly 20 jobs, from subordinates to bosses, from directors to directors and directors, and eventually became the fifth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Recently, Carrie Lam admitted in an exclusive interview with China News Agency "Focus on China" that there have been challenges and satisfactions along the way.
Becoming the Chief Executive gave her a deeper understanding of Hong Kong.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
I have been in public service. This year is 40 years. I think we are doing things with the heart of serving the public, especially when we become the Chief Executive. You know that the Chief Executive is a dual-head office. I am responsible to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Be responsible to the Central People's Government.
So in the past few years, apart from using my previous experience to manage cities, I also have a more profound understanding that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China, and we are all responsible for protecting the country.
[Explanation] This "profound experience" of Carrie Lam is believed to be the feeling of most Hong Kong people in the past year.
In the past year or so, Hong Kong has experienced prolonged social disturbances and encountered "multiple blows" such as the new crown pneumonia epidemic and repeated sanctions by the US government.
At a cocktail party celebrating the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1, Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that the past year was "the most severe test in her 40-year official career."
Fortunately, the people of Hong Kong ushered in "reassurance." The Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect at 11 pm on June 30.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
In the very difficult environment this year, we can implement the National Security Law. I think it is very important to the future development of Hong Kong.
I don’t think about myself personally. With my principal officials, we are truly honored to be able to take on this very important historical task at this moment, and we hope that this matter can be done well.
[Explanation] After the Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect, the United States suspended the extradition agreement with Hong Kong, enacted the "Hong Kong Autonomy Act", ended Hong Kong's special trade preference status, banned "Made in Hong Kong", and was responsible to many Chinese government agencies involved in Hong Kong People and officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government imposed so-called sanctions. Faced with a series of "sanctions on Hong Kong" by the US government, Carrie Lam called "fearless and fearless."
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Every time we make these unreasonable criticisms (in the face of foreign governments), we refute them, and we also use more and more severe statements.
Anyway, now I see that the international community will soon see who makes sense and who does not. Some hegemonism is something we should not tolerate now.
[Explanation] "Hope is the driving force for a society to move forward, and confidence is the foundation of hope." This sentence Carrie Lam once said at the inauguration ceremony has also appeared frequently on different occasions in recent years.
Nowadays, Hong Kong society is becoming more stable. Carrie Lam has also refocused his attention on the economy, hoping to find a stronger motivation for Hong Kong and give the people more confidence.
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
The economy is now almost in a downturn, and it needs a stronger momentum.
So the source of the power I have just analyzed, it must be developed from the Mainland.
I wrote some reports, hoping that the central government can give us some support in these areas.
But a few days before I was about to read the "Policy Address," the central government gave me a very positive response. I think this is a good opportunity to give Hong Kong more confidence.
[Explanation] It is for this reason that Carrie Lam postponed the reading of this year's "Policy Address". She hopes to bring a richer "Policy Address" to the public. Aviation hubs, customs clearance and vaccine supply are seeking more opportunities for Hong Kong.
[Commentary] Carrie Lam reviewed her 40-year official career on social media and sighed: I have never seen through the gains and losses.
To be the chief executive is the supreme honor, and it will inevitably be accompanied by more "attacks" and "worries."
Carrie Lam once choked and thanked the central government and her family and friends for their support during her speech at the reception on July 1. This support made her believe that "hard days will always pass."
[Concurrent] Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Basically, they (family) are very supportive of me, and they don’t ask me. Anyway, he (my husband) said that we must support 100% of what you do. We don’t need to ask what you are doing and what your considerations are Because I am not a member of the Legislative Council, I am not a media, I am your closest and most trusted family.
[Explanation] "I silently accepted how hard it was on the day, how much bitterness I didn't let go, deliberately picking about today, I don't care, I just go with the will of my heart." Xu Xiaofeng played this song "Downstream" at the Hong Kong concert in 2018. It was given to Carrie Lam.
Today, Carrie Lam also encourages herself with this song.
I believe Hong Kong can also, as she once said, "The hard days will always pass, and Hong Kong will surely come here.
Reporter Chen Shuo, Li Yue, Hu Dingxuan, Li Yuqi reporting from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]