ýÿRegarding the release of a plan on reforming the Party and state institutions by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, pursuant to which a Hong Kong and Macao work office of the CPC Central Committee will be formed on the basis of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), expressed resolute support today (March 16). He thanked the Central Authorities for their deepest care for the people of Hong Kong, and for the great importance they attach to implementing "one country, two systems".
      
     The Hong Kong and Macao work office of the CPC Central Committee will be responsible for the investigation, research, co-ordination and supervision of upholding the principle of "one country, two systems", exercising the Central Authorities' overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR, governing Hong Kong and Macao in accordance with the law, safeguarding national security, protecting people's livelihood and well-being, and supporting the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the national development. It will be formed on the basis of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and will function as a working body of the CPC Central Committee. The name of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council will be retained.
      
     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 Macao after their return to the motherland, and must be adhered to over the long term. Mr Lee 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 Macao 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 the steadfast and successful implementation of it.
      
     Mr Lee said the Central Authorities always serve the best interests of Hong Kong and its citizens. He will lead the HKSAR to maintain effective communication with the Hong Kong and Macao work office of the CPC Central Committee in performing his duties as the Chief Executive, with a view to enabling the Central Authorities to comprehensively understand and grasp the actual situation in Hong Kong, and ensuring 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 HKSAR. The HKSAR 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 strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, Hong Kong will actively dovetail with national strategies and more proactively integrate into the overall development of the country, in order to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and contribute to the building of China into a great country as well as to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Ends/Thursday, March 16, 2023
Issued at HKT 23:32

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