Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu met on Saturday with Zhou Ji, the new director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and national security adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR.

During their meeting at Government House, Lee exchanged views with Zhou on a range of issues, including Hong Kong's opportunities and challenges, and promoting the city's long-term prosperity and stability, according to an HKSAR government statement.

Lee expressed his gratitude to the central government for its continued support and care for Hong Kong, driving and supporting its transition from stability to prosperity. He also extended his warm welcome to Zhou on his new appointment.

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Zhou has had extensive experience in local governance and policy-making from a macroscopic perspective, having previously held such positions as member of the CPC Hubei Standing Committee, member of the CPC Henan Standing Committee and deputy secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee, and deputy secretary of the Henan Party Leadership Group and vice-governor of Henan.

Since taking office in July 2023 as executive deputy director of the CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office and the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, Zhou has been participating in taking forward Hong Kong's work under national development strategies.

He is well acquainted with the national policies on Hong Kong and actively promoted the implementation of the central government's policies benefitting the city.

Lee expressed confidence in working with Zhou in actively aligning with national development strategies, as well as in implementing fully, faithfully and resolutely the principles of “one country, two systems” and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” with a high degree of autonomy, maintaining the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law, implementing the executive-led structure and implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, with a view to ensuring the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, the steadfast and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, and jointly expediting the development of Hong Kong from stability to prosperity.

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Noting that Zhou is well acquainted with Hong Kong affairs, Lee said that this will help Hong Kong better contribute to and benefit from its integration into national development, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative.