China News Agency, Beijing, December 7th: Liang Zhiren, Director of the Hong Kong Office in Beijing: Farewell to Beijing, willing to continue to be a good "contact" between the two places
China News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoxi
December 7 this year is the last working day of Liang Zhiren as the director of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Office in Beijing (Beijing Office).
He has worked in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government for 35 years and is about to end his career as a civil servant and return to Hong Kong after retirement.
The picture shows Liang Zhiren.
Photo provided by China News Agency issued by the Beijing Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
"Being in Beijing for more than three years has been a process of expanding my horizons and enhancing friendship for me. I have always strived to be based in Hong Kong and have my motherland in mind. I hope that Hong Kong will play an important role in the country's development process." Accepting Sino-Singapore in Beijing Liang Zhiren said in an exclusive interview with reporters.
Born in Hong Kong, Leung Chi-yan holds a Bachelor of Arts (History) and a Master of Philosophy (Politics) from the University of Hong Kong.
In the 1980s, Liang Zhiren, who was still a university student, went to the mainland to participate in an exchange group. At the time of reform and opening up, he was deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and vigorous spirit of the people in the mainland.
The data picture shows Liang Zhiren attending the opening ceremony of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in August 2022.
Photo provided by China News Agency issued by the Beijing Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
"At that time, I didn't speak Mandarin very well, and I didn't know much about the development of the mainland, but I was very impressed, especially the kind of enthusiasm that people pursue knowledge, and the relationship between people is also very strong," he said. .
After graduating, Leung Chi-yan started his civil service career. He served in different departments, including serving as Deputy Representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to the World Trade Organization (Geneva Economic and Trade Office), Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Affairs) and the Insurance Industry Supervisors, etc.
He also feels very satisfied with the Director of the Beijing Office as the last leg of his civil servant career.
The data picture shows Liang Zhiren (first from left) visiting the industrial development of Baotou City in August 2020.
Photo provided by China News Agency issued by the Beijing Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
"Because when I came to the mainland when I was a student, I have a deeper affection for the country, so I think it is very good to be able to work in the Beijing office, because only by working and living on the ground can I have a deeper understanding. No longer points, lines, and planes, but a three-dimensional understanding.”
Liang Zhiren worked in Beijing for more than three years, which was also a very extraordinary period.
During this period, there was a "revision storm" in Hong Kong, and both Hong Kong and the mainland were also affected by the new crown epidemic, and some exchange activities were hindered.
The data picture shows Liang Zhiren (fourth from left in the first row) holding an employment lecture for Hong Kong students in Beijing in April 2021.
Photo provided by China News Agency issued by the Beijing Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Faced with these difficulties, Liang Zhiren and his team continued to promote the holding of activities through more online and offline methods; in order to reduce the misunderstanding of Hong Kong caused by the "revision storm" among mainland people, they also continued to strengthen communication through various means , and more about the positive changes that have taken place in Hong Kong society after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the improvement of the electoral system.
Liang Zhiren believes that Hong Kong should be better integrated into the overall development of the country, including playing a more important role in the process of Chinese-style modernization. Therefore, the Beijing Office will focus on the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the opportunities of the "Belt and Road" Let the Hong Kong people who are developing in the Mainland understand; many Mainland Hong Kong people's groups have also organized activities to show the conditions of Hong Kong people studying, working and living in the Mainland, and to draw closer to the Mainland.
In 2022, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Hong Kong has also moved towards a new stage of governance and prosperity. Liang Zhiren led the Beijing Office to carry out various activities and began to skillfully use the new media platforms in the Mainland.
"The past few years have changed a lot. From the beginning, I didn't know much about the new media platforms in the mainland. Now I am more familiar with WeChat official accounts, Douyin, etc. I use these new media to do the work of communication and tell stories. It is more interesting to play, and it is also a learning process for me." Liang Zhiren said.
He also said that in recent years, the Beijing Office has often provided internship opportunities for Hong Kong students, and the staff will also take the initiative to learn the concepts and ideas of young people and do their jobs in a more lively way.
About to leave Beijing, Liang Zhiren was full of nostalgia and reluctance.
He also told reporters that he would often go to Beijing's historical buildings and parks to experience the traditional cultural heritage.
"In the future, no matter whether I retire or continue to do other work, I am still willing to do the 'bridge' work that deepens Hong Kong people's understanding of the mainland and promotes exchanges between the two places. I can still be a 'contact person' among the people. "Liang Zhiren said that no matter where he goes, he hopes that the country and Hong Kong will develop better and the future will be brighter.
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