Hong Kong on ‘right track’ under leader John Lee, Chinese president says, while premier calls for greater efforts to prepare for border reopening
- Xi Jinping praises John Lee’s efforts to revive economy and calls on city to use unique advantages in pursuit of ‘extensive international cooperation’
- Premier Li Keqiang urges city’s government departments to work closely together on further reopening border with mainland
Hong Kong is headed on the “right track” under John Lee Ka-chiu’s leadership, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said, pointing to the new administration’s efforts to revive the economy, while Premier Li Keqiang called on the city’s authorities to coordinate efforts to gradually ease Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Xi gave his approval of Lee’s first six months at the helm of the city on Friday during the chief executive’s maiden duty visit to Beijing, and reaffirmed the central government’s full support for Hong Kong, saying residents should look forward to the bright future ahead. The president also urged the city to use its unique advantages and pursue “extensive international cooperation” even as it integrated into the overall economic development of the country.
“Since you took office, you have led the new term of government in … being pragmatic in achieving results. [The government was] resolute in safeguarding national security, bold in reviving the vitality of the economy, and active in responding to the people’s concerns,” Xi said.
“Hong Kong has demonstrated a new atmosphere under patriots administering Hong Kong and is moving on the right track under ‘one country, two systems’. The central government fully acknowledges your work and the Hong Kong government’s work.”
He added: “[Beijing will support Hong Kong in] engaging in a wide range of international cooperation, and better integrate into the nation’s development plans.
“In the new era and new journey, Hong Kong has much to accomplish and has boundless prospects.”
State broadcaster CCTV reported that during the premier’s meeting with Lee on Thursday, Li said that as anti-epidemic rules were relaxed in mainland China, local authorities must also work closely together on further reopening the border.
“He said relevant departments should step up communication and coordination, so that the exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland residents can return to normal gradually,” the report said.
According to a statement released by local authorities on Friday night, Lee told the state leaders that residents “earnestly hoped” the mainland border could be reopened and the government would continue to discuss the matter with central authorities, as well as the Guangdong and Shenzhen governments.
The city’s No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki told a press conference he expected authorities would have “good news” on the border reopening soon.
“We are very concerned about this issue, because Hong Kong has a lot of business [exchanges with the mainland], and families want to reunite,” the chief secretary said. “Various sectors hope that the border can be reopened as soon as possible. We are actively discussing this with the mainland, and I believe that good news will come very soon.”
Before Covid-19, tens of thousands of people would pass daily through the checkpoints along Guangdong province, heading in both directions, but after the pandemic erupted, the flow dried to a trickle of just a few thousand, robbing the city of a critical source of tourism dollars.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urges Hong Kong to meet needs of nation, local residents
During their talks in the capital, Xi also highlighted the changes brought by Beijing’s revamp of the political system last year aimed at ensuring only “patriots” held power. The overhaul, which left the opposition camp in disarray, came on the heels of the imposition of the national security law following months of anti-government protests.
At the Communist Party’s 20th congress in October, Xi underscored Hong Kong’s critical role as he mapped out the nation’s direction for the next five years and beyond. In his speech to party members, the president stressed the importance of safeguarding national security and pursuing innovation to give new momentum to development.
On Friday, Xi touched on the party congress and called the one country, two systems governing principle a great achievement of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
“It is also the best system and arrangement to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau,” he said.
Xi said Beijing would continue to implement the principle in a comprehensive and accurate manner, and fully supported the chief executive and his government in administering the city in accordance with the law.
Lee thanked Xi for his support and said the president’s speech at the 25th anniversary of the handover in July and his report to the congress were well-received by various sectors in Hong Kong.
“The international community’s response was also positive, as [Beijing’s] support for one country, two systems was obvious, substantive and passionate,” he said.
Xi also met Macau chief executive Ho Iat-seng separately on Friday.
Hong Kong leader upbeat on quarantine-free travel to mainland next year
Political analyst Lau Siu-kai, of the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, said Xi’s remarks were an important instruction for Lee’s administration to explore opportunities for greater cooperation with developing countries in Asia.
“Hong Kong has always maintained strong international links, but under suppression by the United States and the West, it must now engage in more collaboration with developing countries,” he said. “This is conducive to Hong Kong’s economic growth.”
Lau said the city needed to work hand in hand with national authorities as China built on pacts and projects such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Belt and Road Initiative.
“I believe that Beijing and Hong Kong’s relationship will become closer as they push forward the national strategies … The city needs to become a hub for the mainland and foreign countries to cooperate on various fronts,” he added.
Hong Kong-based political commentator Johnny Lau Yui-siu said Xi’s remarks showed that Beijing expected different sectors in Hong Kong to continue to collaborate with their counterparts abroad in business and non-government areas, despite the hostility of some foreign governments.
