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Key Facts

  • Beijing's top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs said the city's administration had lived up to expectations.
  • The office stressed the effective response to the deadly Tai Po fire demonstrated unity and resilience.
  • Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged to promote high-quality development and further deepen reforms.

Quick Summary

Beijing's top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs commented on the city's progress on New Year's Day. The office stated that the Hong Kong administration has lived up to expectations. This praise was specifically linked to the handling of a recent tragedy. The response to the deadly Tai Po fire was cited as a key example of the city's capabilities.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu responded to the New Year's message. He acknowledged wishes from President Xi Jinping. Mr. Lee also outlined his administration's future focus. He pledged to prioritize specific goals for the city. These include promoting high-quality development and deepening reforms. The message signals a continued focus on stability and growth for the region.

Beijing's Assessment of Hong Kong

The New Year's Day statement from Beijing offered a positive evaluation of Hong Kong's current governance. The Beijing office responsible for overseeing Hong Kong affairs conveyed that the city's administration has met expectations. This assessment serves as a significant political endorsement. It confirms the central government's satisfaction with the direction of the special administrative region.

A specific event was highlighted to illustrate this positive assessment. The office pointed to the administration's response to the deadly Tai Po fire. The handling of this incident was described as demonstrating unity and resilience. By focusing on this specific crisis management example, the statement underscored the administrative competence of the current leadership in difficult circumstances.

Chief Executive's Response

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed the New Year's message publicly. He acknowledged the wishes sent by President Xi Jinping. Mr. Lee utilized a social media platform to communicate his reaction. The post was made on a Thursday, aligning with the timing of the central government's message.

In his social media post, Mr. Lee outlined a clear agenda for the coming period. He pledged that the city must focus on its priorities. The Chief Executive emphasized the need to promote high-quality development. Additionally, he committed to further deepening reforms. His message concluded with a commitment to continue opening up the city's economy and society.

Future Priorities and Direction

The statements from both Beijing and the Chief Executive suggest a unified vision for Hong Kong's future. The focus appears to be on maintaining stability while pushing for economic and social progress. The mention of high-quality development indicates a shift towards sustainable and advanced growth models. This aligns with broader national economic strategies.

Reform and opening up remain central themes. The Chief Executive's pledge to deepen these efforts suggests that policy changes are expected to continue. The administration is signaling its intent to:

  • Focus on key administrative priorities
  • Promote economic development of high quality
  • Implement further reforms
  • Enhance the city's openness

These points reflect the administration's roadmap for the near future.