标签： Asia

Hong Kong’s leaders and government officials have launched a vigorous campaign urging residents to participate in the upcoming Legislative Council election, scheduled for December 7, 2025. At the kick-off ceremony for the 2025 Legislative Council General Election, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasized the critical importance of electing ‘capable, responsible, and passionate lawmakers’ to shape the city’s future. The event was held just before the candidate nomination period began, marking the start of a pivotal electoral process that will see 90 lawmakers elected across geographical, functional, and Election Committee constituencies. Lee highlighted that Hong Kong is transitioning from stability to prosperity, with the government actively pursuing reforms, economic development, and improved livelihoods. He stressed that many policies require legislative approval and funding, making the election a decisive moment for the city’s progress. Lee called on all sectors of society, including public and private organizations and patriotic groups, to encourage voter participation. He also assured that civil servants, as the city’s largest workforce, would be given the opportunity to vote, with adequate backup personnel in place to cover their duties. The Hong Kong SAR government has pledged to ensure the election is conducted fairly, justly, and securely. David Lok Kai-hong, Chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, underscored that voting is both a right and a social responsibility, enabling residents to directly influence policies in healthcare, labor, education, transport, and housing. Lok praised the improved electoral system for enhancing representativeness, inclusivity, and fair competition, laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s democratic development. Lee also highlighted the achievements of the seventh Legislative Council, which passed nearly 130 bills and approved over 260 projects worth HK$700 billion during its term. Other high-ranking officials, including Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Security Secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung, echoed the call for public engagement, describing the election as a unifying force and a chance to propel Hong Kong forward. Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing added that participation in the election would enhance Hong Kong’s international prestige, competitiveness, and social stability.

The 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China was commemorated in Beijing through a forum organized by the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League. The event underscored the historical significance of Taiwan’s return to its motherland in 1945, marking the end of 50 years of Japanese colonial rule. Shaw Kai-ping, a 73-year-old attendee, shared his family’s poignant story of resistance against Japanese aggression. His father, Shaw Daoing, born in Japanese-colonized Taiwan in 1916, joined the mainland’s war effort in 1940 as a frontline medic, embodying the spirit of unity and sacrifice. Shaw emphasized the importance of educating Taiwan’s youth about their shared heritage and the necessity of reunification. He expressed concern over the current ‘de-Sinicization’ efforts by Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, which he believes undermine Taiwan’s national will and dignity. Chi Hsing, president of The Observer magazine in Taiwan, highlighted the patriotic spirit of Taiwan’s forebears and called for Oct 25 to be designated as Taiwan Restoration Day on the mainland. Huang Ching-hsien, a professor at Nankai University, reiterated that Taiwan’s status as part of China is confirmed by international law and stressed the need for collective efforts to achieve true restoration and a bright future for Taiwan.

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded its fourth plenary session in Beijing from October 20 to 23, 2025, setting the stage for the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and advancing Chinese modernization. The session, attended by 168 Central Committee members and 147 alternate members, along with key officials and experts, was presided over by the Political Bureau, with General Secretary Xi Jinping delivering pivotal addresses. The plenum reviewed the Political Bureau’s work since the third plenary session, unanimously affirming its achievements in implementing the Party’s 20th National Congress directives, deepening reforms, and ensuring high-quality development. The session adopted the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, emphasizing the critical role of this period in achieving socialist modernization by 2035. The plan outlines strategic priorities, including economic resilience, technological self-reliance, green development, and national security. The plenum underscored the importance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, calling for unwavering Party leadership, reform, and innovation to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in a complex global landscape. The session also addressed key areas such as industrial modernization, rural revitalization, cultural development, and public wellbeing, aiming to build a prosperous, sustainable, and secure China. The plenum concluded with a call for unity and determination to achieve the Second Centenary Goal of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), concluded on Thursday, has unveiled a comprehensive communique that outlines the nation’s strategic objectives and developmental roadmap for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30). This document, far from being a mere policy statement, serves as a foundational guide for China’s socioeconomic advancement over the next five years. It emphasizes the importance of upholding the Party’s overall leadership, prioritizing the people’s welfare, pursuing high-quality development, and deepening reforms to foster a harmonious interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government. The communique also underscores the dual focus on development and security, ensuring a balanced approach to national progress. The session’s outcomes are of paramount strategic significance, providing clear directives to authorities at all levels and showcasing the efficacy of China’s governance system. By delineating the country’s policy direction, economic priorities, reform commitments, and opening-up strategies, the plenum has reinforced global confidence in China’s developmental trajectory. The communique reflects the CPC’s astute assessment of both domestic and global landscapes, highlighting the Party’s pragmatic and holistic approach to policymaking, which consistently prioritizes the people’s interests and tangible results. Key initiatives include building a modernized industrial system, bolstering the real economy, achieving greater self-reliance in science and technology, consolidating a robust domestic market, accelerating the green transition, and promoting high-standard opening-up. These endeavors embody the Party’s foresight and unwavering commitment to high-quality development under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The communique also reaffirms China’s modernization drive as a boon not only for its 1.4 billion citizens but also for global growth, offering new opportunities and certainties. Through collaborative initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, China continues to champion a more equitable, balanced, and inclusive international order. The nation’s steadfast determination to achieve comprehensive modernization and national rejuvenation remains unshakable, with external forces unable to impede its progress or undermine its core interests. Guided by the Party’s leadership, China will advance with confidence, unity, and resilience, transforming its strengths into concrete achievements and realizing its modernization vision step by step. The next five years will be pivotal in China’s modernization journey, demonstrating how perseverance, reform, and innovation can pave the way for a brighter future.