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South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Cooperation with new liaison office chief key in challenging times
A good relationship with the central government is of paramount importance as Hong Kong charts a new direction under the governance model of 'one country, two systems'. The appointment of Zhou Ji as the latest director of the liaison office marks another stage for both sides to cultivate closer communication and cooperation in accordance with principles laid out under the Basic Law, which is essential if the city is to maximise its potential and achieve more under the new national development framework. Zhou is the third Beijing envoy in five years. The former executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) has replaced Zheng Yanxiong, who succeeded Luo Huining after the former provincial party leader of Shanxi finished his three-year stint at the liaison office in 2023. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he was confident the new director would lead the liaison office in its continued cooperation with the Hong Kong government on promoting the city's proactive alignment with national strategies, creating fresh momentum and advantages for economic development, encouraging transition from stability to prosperity through innovation and invention, and making a further contribution to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Lee also praised Zheng for upholding the one country, two systems principle in safeguarding national security and maintaining constitutional order. Zhou wasted no time in his new role, having met Lee twice and reached out to local groups and residents over the past few days. Lee said the district visits underlined the importance attached to people's livelihoods and the revamped district administration. His exchange with Zhou had also helped maintain good communication with Beijing and formulate good policies. For his part, Zhou stressed the chief executive and his team bear primary responsibility for the city's governance, in a welcome assurance over its 'high degree of autonomy' and the principle of 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong'. Zhou had rich experience in handling economic and livelihood issues when he served in Hubei and Henan. His connections with the HKMAO and knowledge of city affairs also make him an ideal choice.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hong Kong leader says sudden removal of China's top official in the city was normal
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday (June 3) that China's recent removal of its top representative in the city, known for his hardline policies on national security, had been a "normal" personnel change. In a surprise development, China announced late on Friday that Zheng Yanxiong (pic), the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong - Beijing's main representative office in the city with powerful oversight over local affairs - had been "removed" from his post. He was replaced by Zhou Ji, a senior official with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office on the State Council. Zheng, who played a key role in the crackdown on Hong Kong's democratic movement in recent years, was also stripped of his role as China's national security adviser on a committee overseeing national security in Hong Kong. No explanation by Beijing or Chinese state media was given for the change. According to a person with knowledge of the matter, Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison's proposed sale of its global port network to a consortium initially led by US firm Blackrock had caught senior Chinese leaders "by surprise" as they had not been informed beforehand and Zheng was partly blamed for that. The person, who has spoken with the liaison office, declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential. The Liaison Office gave no immediate response to faxed questions from Reuters. Zheng had served in the post since January 2023 and while the position has no fixed term, his tenure was shorter than predecessors including Luo Huining and Zhang Xiaoming. "The change of the Liaison office director is I believe, as with all changes of officials, very normal," Lee told reporters during a weekly briefing, without being drawn on reasons for the reshuffle. "Director Zheng has spent around five years (in Hong Kong). Hong Kong was going through a transition period of chaos to order," Lee said, referring to the months-long pro-democracy protests that erupted across Hong Kong in 2019 while adding that he looked forward to working with Zhou. CK Hutchison's ports deal has been criticised in Chinese state media as "betraying" China's interests and bowing to US political pressure. The conglomerate, controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, agreed in March to sell the majority of its US$22.8 billion global ports business, including assets along the strategically significant Panama Canal, to the consortium. The consortium is now being led by another member - Terminal Investment Limited, which is majority-owned by Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte's family-run MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. The deal is still being negotiated. Asked whether Zheng's removal reflected a pivot by Beijing towards economic development from national security, Lee said Hong Kong still needed to pursue both. "Hong Kong faces a stage where development and safety must be addressed at the same time because any development must have a safe environment." China promulgated a powerful national security law in 2020, arresting scores of opposition democrats and activists, shuttering liberal media outlets and civil society groups and punishing free speech with sedition - moves that have drawn international criticism. - Reuters
Asahi Shimbun
03-06-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Hong Kong leader says sudden removal of China's top official in the city was ‘normal'
Zheng Yanxiong, director of China's Hong Kong Liaison Office, speaks during the National Security Education Day opening ceremony in Hong Kong, China April 15, 2024. (REUTERS) HONG KONG--Hong Kong's leader said on Tuesday that China's recent removal of its top representative in the city, known for his hardline policies on national security, had been a 'normal' personnel change. In a surprise development, China announced late on Friday that Zheng Yanxiong, the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong - Beijing's main representative office in the city with powerful oversight over local affairs - had been 'removed' from his post. He was replaced by Zhou Ji, a senior official with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office on the State Council. Zheng, who played a key role in the crackdown on Hong Kong's democratic movement in recent years, was also stripped of his role as China's national security adviser on a committee overseeing national security in Hong Kong. No explanation by Beijing or Chinese state media was given for the change. According to a person with knowledge of the matter, Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison's proposed sale of its global port network to a consortium initially led by U.S. firm Blackrock had caught senior Chinese leaders 'by surprise' as they had not been informed beforehand and Zheng was partly blamed for that. The person, who has spoken with the liaison office, declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential. The Liaison Office gave no immediate response to faxed questions from Reuters. Zheng had served in the post since January 2023 and while the position has no fixed term, his tenure was shorter than predecessors including Luo Huining and Zhang Xiaoming. 'The change of the Liaison office director is I believe, as with all changes of officials, very normal,' Lee told reporters during a weekly briefing, without being drawn on reasons for the reshuffle. 'Director Zheng has spent around 5 years (in Hong Kong). Hong Kong was going through a transition period of chaos to order,' Lee said, referring to the months-long pro-democracy protests that erupted across Hong Kong in 2019 while adding that he looked forward to working with Zhou. CK Hutchison's ports deal has been criticized in Chinese state media as 'betraying' China's interests and bowing to U.S. political pressure. The conglomerate, controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, agreed in March to sell the majority of its $22.8 billion global ports business, including assets along the strategically significant Panama Canal, to the consortium. The consortium is now being led by another member - Terminal Investment Limited, which is majority-owned by Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte's family-run MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. The deal is still being negotiated. Asked whether Zheng's removal reflected a pivot by Beijing towards economic development from national security, Lee said Hong Kong still needed to pursue both. 'Hong Kong faces a stage where development and safety must be addressed at the same time because any development must have a safe environment.' China promulgated a powerful national security law in 2020, arresting scores of opposition democrats and activists, shuttering liberal media outlets and civil society groups and punishing free speech with sedition - moves that have drawn international criticism.
Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Hong Kong leader John Lee says sudden removal of China's top official in the city was ‘normal'
China announced that Mr Zheng Yanxiong, the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong had been "removed" from his post. PHOTO: REUTERS Hong Kong leader John Lee says sudden removal of China's top official in the city was 'normal' HONG KONG - Hong Kong's leader said on June 3 that China's recent removal of its top representative in the city, known for his hardline policies on national security, had been a "normal" personnel change. In a surprise development, China announced late on May 30 that Mr Zheng Yanxiong, the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong - Beijing's main representative office in the city with powerful oversight over local affairs - had been "removed" from his post. He was replaced by Mr Zhou Ji, a senior official with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office on the State Council. Mr Zheng, who played a key role in the crackdown on Hong Kong's democratic movement in recent years, was also stripped of his role as China's national security adviser on a committee overseeing national security in Hong Kong. No explanation by Beijing or Chinese state media was given for the change. According to a person with knowledge of the matter, Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison's proposed sale of its global port network to a consortium initially led by US. firm Blackrock had caught senior Chinese leaders "by surprise" as they had not been informed beforehand and Mr Zheng was partly blamed for that. The person, who has spoken with the liaison office, declined to be identified as the discussions were confidential. The Liaison Office gave no immediate response to faxed questions from Reuters. Mr Zheng had served in the post since January 2023 and while the position has no fixed term, his tenure was shorter than predecessors including Mr Luo Huining and Mr Zhang Xiaoming. "The change of the Liaison office director is I believe, as with all changes of officials, very normal," Mr Lee told reporters during a weekly briefing, without being drawn on reasons for the reshuffle. "Director Zheng has spent around 5 years (in Hong Kong). Hong Kong was going through a transition period of chaos to order," Mr Lee said, referring to the months-long pro-democracy protests that erupted across Hong Kong in 2019 while adding that he looked forward to working with Mr Zhou. CK Hutchison's ports deal has been criticised in Chinese state media as "betraying" China's interests and bowing to US political pressure. The conglomerate, controlled by tycoon Li Ka-shing, agreed in March to sell the majority of its US$22.8 billion (S$29.35 billion) global ports business, including assets along the strategically significant Panama Canal, to the consortium. The consortium is now being led by another member - Terminal Investment Limited, which is majority-owned by Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte's family-run MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. The deal is still being negotiated. Asked whether Mr Zheng's removal reflected a pivot by Beijing towards economic development from national security, Mr Lee said Hong Kong still needed to pursue both. "Hong Kong faces a stage where development and safety must be addressed at the same time because any development must have a safe environment." China promulgated a powerful national security law in 2020, arresting scores of opposition democrats and activists, shuttering liberal media outlets and civil society groups and punishing free speech with sedition - moves that have drawn international criticism. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
South China Morning Post
02-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong leader and administration are ‘masters' of city: liaison office chief
The leader of Hong Kong and his administration bear primary responsibility for the city's governance, the new head of the liaison office has said, while pledging to fully support local development during the second meeting between the two officials in three days. Zhou Ji, who was appointed as director of the central government's liaison office on Friday, met Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday morning at its building in Sai Wan, according to an official statement. They previously met at Government House on Saturday. 'The chief executive and the city's government are the masters of Hong Kong and bear primary responsibility for its governance,' Zhou was quoted as saying in the liaison office statement. 'I will fulfil my duties according to law and fully support Hong Kong in achieving better development. Liaison office Director Zhou Ji visits a community hall in Tsing Yi. Photo: Hong Kong liaison office Zhou also highlighted during the meeting that the liaison office would 'fully, accurately and unswervingly' implement the 'one country, two systems' governing principle and the policy of 'patriots administering Hong Kong'.
