CE attends opening meeting of NPC annual session in Beijing
5.3.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (March 5) attended the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC). The first session of the 14th NPC commenced in Beijing this morning, during which Premier Li Keqiang delivered the government work report. Mr Lee attended the opening meeting in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Premier Li reviewed in the government work report the work in 2022 and of the past five years, highlighting the fresh progress in work related to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan; the effective implementation of the overall jurisdiction over the two special administrative regions (SARs) in accordance with the country's Constitution and the Basic Laws, enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law and implementing "patriots administering Hong Kong", pushing forward Hong Kong to a new stage of advancing from stability to prosperity following the transition from chaos to order; and the further promotion of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), supporting the economic development of Hong Kong and Macao, improving people's livelihoods, preventing and controlling of the epidemic and maintaining prosperity and stability. Premier Li reiterated that we should fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principle of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in the HKSAR, maintaining the constitutional order as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law, and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". Premier Li also mentioned in the government work report that the Central Government supports Hong Kong in enhancing economic development, improving livelihoods, and maintaining long-term prosperity and stability. Mr Lee said he was most encouraged, adding that the HKSAR Government will fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, with a view to enhancing the power and value of "patriots administering Hong Kong". He said the HKSAR Government will unite different sectors of the community, sparing no efforts in pursuing economic growth and development so as to better serve Hong Kong citizens; and will explore opportunities brought about by national strategies including the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Outline Development Plan for the GBA, and the Belt and Road Initiative, with a view to promoting Hong Kong's active integration into national development and enhancing our international competitiveness. Mr Lee also thanked the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPCSC) for enacting and implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law, improving HKSAR's electoral system and implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in the past few years, turning Hong Kong from chaos to order. At the end of last year, the NPCSC issued an interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which was of great significance in the further improvement of the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security of the HKSAR, and the effective safeguarding of national security, he added. Mr Lee will depart for Hong Kong tomorrow (March 6). Ends/Sunday, March 5, 2023 Issued at HKT 14:22 NNNN