Chief Executive John Lee today welcomed Zhou Ji assuming his new posts as Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In a statement on the appointment by the State Council, Mr Lee noted that since July 2023, Mr Zhou has been serving as CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Executive Deputy Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Executive Deputy Director, directly participating in the management and co-ordination of Hong Kong affairs, adding that he is well acquainted with the national policies on Hong Kong.

Mr Lee said: “I sincerely thank the central government for its care and support for the Hong Kong SAR. I am fully confident that Mr Zhou will lead the LOCPG in continuing its support to the Hong Kong SAR Government's governance in accordance with the law, working together with us in fully, faithfully and resolutely implementing the principles of 'one country, two systems', 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy. We will together maintain the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law and implement the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong'.

“I am also confident that Mr Zhou will lead the LOCPG in its continued co-operation with the Hong Kong SAR Government of promoting the Hong Kong SAR's proactive alignment with national strategies, creating new momentum and advantages for Hong Kong's economic development, promoting Hong Kong's transition from stability to prosperity through innovation and invention, and making greater contribution to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

Meanwhile, the State Council announced the departure of Zheng Yanxiong from the posts of LOCPG Director, State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Deputy Director and National Security Adviser of the committee.

Mr Lee, together with the Hong Kong SAR Government, expressed their gratitude to Mr Zheng for his contribution in performing his duties, including steadfastly upholding the “one country, two systems” principle on issues such as safeguarding national security and maintaining the Hong Kong SAR's constitutional order in his tenure of over two years.

The Chief Executive pointed out that during his office, Mr Zheng fully supported the Hong Kong SAR Government in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility and historic mission of enacting local legislation for Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which entered into force on March 23, 2024, has strengthened Hong Kong's legal regime in safeguarding national security.

Mr Zheng has all along held the issues of providing a better living and working environment for the people of Hong Kong, youth development, and Hong Kong's leverage of the opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area close to his heart, Mr Lee added.