BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, and Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai, in Beijing respectively.
During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong’s current situation and the HKSAR government’s work, per Xinhua News Agency. Xi said that the central authorities fully recognized the work of Lee and the HKSAR government.
The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China stressed the importance of resolutely implementing the “one country, two systems” policy, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, and promoting the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, Xi noted.
On the same day, Xi also heard a report from Sam on Macao’s current situation and the Macao SAR government’s work.
He said the Macao SAR government should align actively with the 15th Five-Year Plan, uphold and improve its executive-led government, solidly advance efforts to appropriately diversify Macao’s economic development, and better integrate into and contribute to the country’s overall development.
Li Qiang, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Ganjie, Chen Wenqing, Xia Baolong and other officials attended the two meetings.
Xi’s meetings with both Lee and Sam have drawn wide coverage on media from both Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.
Hong Kong’s TVB news has published an article with the title highlighting Xi’s recognition of HKSAR government’s work.
Similarly, Hong Kong’s Ming Pao, Ta Kung Pao and Radio Television Hong Kong, along with other media outlets, also ran articles on Xi hearing a report from Lee.
The Macao Daily noted that this was Sam’s first duty visit to Beijing since taking office. Teledifusão de Macau highlighted Xi’s remarks that new achievements have been made in Macao’s economic diversification.
Writing on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of the Seventh Legislative Council wrote that “I am deeply grateful to President Xi and the central government for fully affirming the work of the Chief Executive and the HKSAR government.
As an important part of the governance team of the HKSAR, the Legislative Council plays a vital role in delivering good governance. The successful conduct of the Legislative Council election reflects voters’ high expectations for its work.”
Deep recognition
The regular reports of the Chief Executive to the central government are both a reflection of fulfilling responsibilities and a symbol of “One Country, Two Systems,” highlighting that the Special Administrative Region is part of the country. Administratively, the Chief Executive, as the highest administrative officer of the region, follows a dual responsibility system, being accountable not only to the central government but also to the citizens of the Special Administrative Region, said Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies. The central government also values the work report submitted by the Chief Executive, Chu said.
Chu told the Global Times on Tuesday that the political and economic development of the HKSAR has been progressing smoothly, a success created through the collective efforts of all Hong Kong residents. The leadership of the Chief Executive and their team has been crucial to this achievement, Chu said.
President Xi’s meeting with HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee during his duty visit to Beijing fully demonstrates the central authorities’ high regard for and care toward the HKSAR, Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Central government gave full affirmation to the work of Chief Executive John Lee and the HKSAR government. The expert said this showcases the strong vitality of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. The central government has always been a strong backing for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, Fu noted.
The Recommendations of the Central Committee of the CPC for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, made public in October,
noted that “we must resolutely implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We should see that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots, ensure that both special administrative regions are more effectively governed in accordance with the law, and promote their economic and social development.” –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
