Chief Executive John Lee today expressed resolute support to the central authorities’ plan to form a Hong Kong and Macau work office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The work office’s formation is pursuant to a plan on reforming the Party and state institutions, released today by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.
Rendering his support on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Lee thanked the central authorities for their deepest care for Hong Kong people, and for the great importance they attach to implementing “one country, two systems”.
The CPC Central Committee's Hong Kong and Macau work office will be responsible for the investigation, research, co-ordination and supervision of upholding the principle of “one country, two systems”.
It will exercise the central authorities’ overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong SAR, governing Hong Kong and Macau in accordance with the law, safeguarding national security, protecting people’s livelihood and well-being, and support the integration of Hong Kong and Macau into the national development.
The new office will be formed on the basis of the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) and will function as a CPC Central Committee working body. The HKMAO will retain its name.
Mr Lee said General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report of the 20th National Congress that “one country, two systems” is a great innovation of socialism with Chinese characteristics, is the best institutional arrangement for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macau after their return to the motherland, and must be adhered to over the long term.
The Chief Executive considered that along the new journey the country has embarked on towards fully building a great modern socialist country, the central authorities’ plan of reform pertaining to the Hong Kong and Macau work office fully demonstrates the central authorities’ resolute, full and faithful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, laying a more solid foundation for its steadfast and successful implementation.
He noted the central authorities always serve the best interests of Hong Kong and its citizens, adding that he will lead the Hong Kong SAR to maintain effective communication with the CPC Central Committee's Hong Kong and Macau work office in performing his duties as the Chief Executive.
Mr Lee will also aim to enable the central authorities to comprehensively understand and grasp the actual situation in Hong Kong, and ensure the successful implementation of the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy in the Hong Kong SAR.
He also noted the Hong Kong SAR Government will remain committed to governing Hong Kong in accordance with the law, safeguarding national security, implementing “patriots administering Hong Kong”, spearheading economic development and improving people’s livelihood.
With its distinctive advantages of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being closely connected to the world, Hong Kong will actively dovetail with national strategies and more proactively integrate into the country’s overall development.
The aim is to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, and contribute to the building of China into a great country as well as to the Chinese nation’s great rejuvenation, Mr Lee added.
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