Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, visits the headquarters of the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) in Hong Kong, south China, May 17, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang inspected the Government Secretariat of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday afternoon and was briefed by principal officials of the SAR government on their work.
Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) who was accompanied by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, took group photos with principal officials of the SAR government at the Government Secretariat before he heard briefings by principal officials including Leung, Chief Secretary of Administration Carrie Lam, Financial Secretary Tsang Chun-wah, and Secretary for Justice Yuen Kwok-keung.
Zhang expressed greetings and good wishes to all principal officials and civil servants of the SAR government on behalf of the central government as well as President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
He said that since its establishment, the present SAR government, under the leadership of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, has worked together to earnestly implement the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong, as well as the Basic Law, and has overcome difficulties and made steady progress in its work.
The SAR government has put forward the policy idea of "appropriately proactive approach" and has also strived to develop Hong Kong's economy and improve livelihood with initial success on multiple fronts, he said, noting the central government is contented with the work of the chief executive and the SAR government.
Today, Hong Kong is facing both challenges and rare development opportunities, the top legislator said, adding he hopes that all civil servants would make unrelenting efforts in improving their work in order to make more contributions to the prosperity, stability and development of the SAR and provide better service for Hong Kong residents.
He expressed confidence in a bright future for Hong Kong and greater success of the "one country, two systems" principle.
Zhang later inspected the Development Bureau which is in charge of land use planning, urban renewal, public works and heritage conservation, and heard briefing by Secretary for Development Chan Mo-po.
Zhang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee arrived in the SAR Tuesday to attend the Belt and Road Summit. He will also inspect the Hong Kong SAR during the three-day trip.
