Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to identify fresh areas for economic growth as he expressed confidence in working with the newly appointed director of Beijing’s liaison office to speed up the city’s development.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made the remarks as he met office director Zhou Ji at Government House on Saturday. They exchanged views on the city’s challenges and opportunities and discussed ways to promote its long-term prosperity and stability.
The State Council, China’s cabinet, announced late on Friday it had appointed Zhou, the executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), to lead the central government’s liaison office, replacing Zheng Yanxiong.
Lee said in the meeting the government would focus on creating new pathways for development as the city was undergoing an economic transformation, according to an official statement.
“Hong Kong is currently undergoing an economic transformation, and … the government will uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, endeavour to take forward reforms and continue to lead all sectors of Hong Kong society to embrace changes and strive for innovation, actively exploring new areas of development and growth.”
He also expressed confidence in working with Zhou on aligning the city with national strategies, implementing the governing principles of “one country, two systems” and “the people of Hong Kong administering Hong Kong” with a high degree of autonomy, while safeguarding constitutional order.
