Xi welcomes new Hong Kong leader
Print Edition
THE central government is determined to stick to the principles of “one country, two systems,” “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy for the southern city, President Xi Jinping said yesterday.
That determination would not change or waver, he said.
Xi’s comments came during a meeting with Carrie Lam, the newly appointed chief executive of Hong Kong, in Beijing.
He said full support would be given to Lam and the Hong Kong government to carry out their duties in accordance with the law.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, and Xi said: “Hong Kong has experienced its share of ups and downs during the past 20 years, and faces challenges and risks as well as opportunities and hopes in this stage.
“Over the past two decades, great success has been achieved in the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle in Hong Kong,” he said.
“The special administrative region system, stipulated in the Constitution as well as the Basic Law, operates effectively, and Hong Kong continues to enjoy prosperity and stability, winning high praise from the international community.”
Xi also stressed that the practice of the “one country, two systems” principle in Hong Kong needs to be advanced.
“As the newly appointed chief executive, you have a heavy responsibility and a glorious mission,” he told Lam.
Xi expressed the hope that Lam could live up to the great trust of the people of Hong Kong, and be relied on to implement the principle of “one country, two systems” and the Basic Law, and contribute to the development of the city.
Lam won the election for chief executive on March 26 with 777 of 1,163 valid votes.
Xi said Lam’s victory was well deserved and she met all the central authority’s standards for the role.
With 36 years of government work experience, especially in important posts held after Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, Lam had shown “a firm stance in loving the country and Hong Kong, a diligent, pragmatic and responsible work style, as well as rich administrative experience and ability to handle complicated situations.”
Earlier, Premier Li Keqiang granted the official certificate of appointment to Lam, who will take office as the fifth-term chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1.
Li said the central government would fully support Lam and the SAR government in developing the economy, improving the quality of life and enhancing exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese mainland.
“Hong Kong’s development is of need to both itself and the nation,” Li said.
He said the central government would draw up a plan for the development of a city cluster in the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area” and establish a bond market connect between the mainland and the HKSAR this year.
“Such moves are aimed at increasing exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and injecting new energy into the development of the latter,” Li said.
He said the central government would continue its support for such measures as long as they are conducive to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, promoting a mutually complementary and beneficial relationship between the mainland and Hong Kong, and consolidating and improving the city’s status as an international financial, trade and shipping center.
Li expressed the hope that Lam would unite and lead the HKSAR government and people from all walks of life in the region to implement the principle of “one country, two systems” and the Basic Law.
Lam expressed her thanks for the central government’s appointment and its concern and support for the SAR’s development.
She said she would carry out her duty diligently and make all-out efforts to do her work well, adding that she would live up to the expectations of the central government and the great trust of Hong Kong citizens.
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