New liaison office chief in first public appearance with Hong Kong community visit
The director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong made his first visit to the community on Sunday, two days after he
took up the role , saying his appointment came with heavy responsibilities but reflected the trust Chinese President Xi Jinping placed in him.
Zhou Ji, the executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), replaced Zheng Yanxiong as head of the central government's liaison office, the State Council announced on Friday. Zhou also
met Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Saturday.
According to the liaison office's website, Zhou visited a community centre of the Kowloon Women's Organisations Federation in Fu Cheong Estate in Sham Shui Po and Cheung Hang Community Hall in Tsing Yi on Sunday.
He was seen meeting local residents and volunteers of a community care team, which set up booths for free health check-ups. Zhou said Xi was deeply concerned about the well-being of Hong Kong residents.
'It is a great honour to work at the liaison office. This signifies the profound trust placed in me by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Central Committee,' Zhou said.
'I deeply understand the immense responsibility this entails and am resolved to fully, accurately and unswervingly implementing the 'one country, two systems' and 'patriots ruling Hong Kong' principles.'
He said he would resolutely uphold the constitutional order and the Basic Law, as well as firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.
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