​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, extended his warmest welcome to Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Shi Taifeng, for his visit and inspection of Hong Kong. Mr Lee met with Mr Shi at Government House today (August 19) to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. Also attending the meeting were the Executive Deputy Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, Mr Chen Xiaojiang; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zheng Yanxiong; Deputy Head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee Mr Lin Rui; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Nong Rong; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; ​the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to Mr Shi for visiting Hong Kong with his delegation to inspect the latest developments of the city, showing his care and concern for Hong Kong. Noting the recent victorious conclusion of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC in Beijing, Mr Lee said that the Plenary Session highlighted the need to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping, and trade centre by harnessing the institutional strengths of the "one country, two systems" principle; to support Hong Kong in building itself into an international hub for high-calibre talent; to improve relevant mechanisms for the city to play a greater role in the country's opening to the outside world; and to encourage co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by fostering closer alignment of rules and mechanisms. Mr Lee also said that in addition to steering the country towards Chinese modernisation and high-quality development, the Plenary Session also provided important guidance for the long-term development, prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Mr Lee added that the HKSAR, including the Government and all sectors of the community, should earnestly learn, have a thorough understanding of and implement the spirit of the Plenary Session, and make active efforts to understand, respond to and embrace changes while staying proactive, pragmatic, principled, innovative, perseverant and dedicated, so that the HKSAR could shoulder the responsibility of further deepening reform comprehensively, and implement and uphold the spirit of the Plenary Session in the city's everyday affairs.
Mr Lee noted that the HKSAR Government will continue to fully and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" principle, with a focus on creating strong impetus for growth, improving the HKSAR's governance system, resolutely implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and strengthening Hong Kong's patriotic forces with a love for the city. The HKSAR Government will continue to actively promote efforts from different sectors of the community in leveraging Hong Kong's strengths to serve the country's needs, in a bid to contribute to the building of a great country in all respects and advancing toward national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation.
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