Latest news with #StateCouncil
Times of Oman
15 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
State Council discusses study on diversifying sources of income in Oman
Muscat: The State Council's office today discussed a study titled "Mechanism for Diversifying Sources of Income in the Sultanate of Oman." The discussion took place during the State Council's 5th meeting of its second regular convening during the Eighth Term. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council. The study addressed the current state of the Omani economy and sources of national income. It also gave a briefing about global experiences in addressing the challenges of diversifying sources of income and financial sustainability. The study concluded with emphasis on exploring future prospects and recommendations for diversifying sources of income across various economic sectors. The meeting also reviewed a report submitted by the Social and Cultural Committee on hosting officials from the Social Protection Fund to discuss with them a mechanism for applying the social protection system.
Times of Oman
16 hours ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Dialogue session in Muscat discusses women's leadership empowerment
Muscat: A dialogue session titled "Women's Leadership Empowerment in Decision-Making Positions," was organised by the Ministry of Social Development today in Muscat. The session discussed enhancing societal awareness on the importance of women's participation in electoral councils and highlighting their role in decision-making processes. The session, which included 70 women members of the State Council, Shura Council, municipal councils, government institutions, and Omani Women's Associations, aimed to motivate female leaders to participate effectively and confidently in electoral councils. It also addressed the legal, economic, intellectual, and media enablers for women, alongside reviewing the role of civil society institutions in empowering Omani women and supporting their participation. The first session, titled "Strategies and Success Enablers," covered knowledge empowerment and capacity-building for women in leadership and strategic communication, women's empowerment in the private sector and their pioneering roles, as well as the legal and legislative frameworks supporting their participation in electoral councils and the associated challenges. The second session, titled "The Role of Civil Society Institutions and Media in Promoting Women's Participation in Electoral Councils," analyzed the experience of Omani women in the Shura Council and emphasized the role of civil society institutions and Omani Women's Associations in raising societal awareness of women's participation in the electoral process. The session also reviewed "The Parliamentary Experience in Childhood and Its Role in Leadership Empowerment." It is worth noting that the session aligns with the Ministry's efforts to strengthen women's presence and provide a supportive environment that enables them to contribute effectively to development pathways and decision-making.
HKFP
a day ago
- Politics
- HKFP
New director of Beijing's top organ in Hong Kong visits neighbourhoods on third day of office
Zhou Ji, the new director of Beijing's top organ in Hong Kong, visited Sham Shui Po and Tsing Yi on his third day in office, saying his new appointment reflected the 'deep trust' placed in him by China's president Xi Jinping. Zhou said in a statement released by the central government's liaison office on Sunday that he hoped to understand Hong Kong's 'community work' and 'people's livelihoods' through his first district visit. The top official went to a women's services centre run by a pro-Beijing group in Sham Shui Po's Fu Cheong Estate. He also visited a community hall in Cheung Hang Estate in Tsing Yi. Zhou, 61, succeeded Zheng Yanxiong as head of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, according to a brief statement on Friday. Zhou was formerly the executive deputy director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. His predecessor, Zheng, had headed the liaison office since January 2023, three years after becoming the director of the central government's Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong. Born in China's Hubei province, Zhou graduated from Huazhong University with a master's degree in electronic and communication engineering, according to Chinese media outlets. Zhou rose through local government ranks first in Hubei province and later in Henan province. He said in the Sunday statement that he had seen Hong Kong's transition 'from governance to prosperity' while working as the executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau affairs office, adding that the city had 'enhanced district governance.' 'It is a privilege to work at the liaison office, which reflects the deep trust placed in me by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Central Committee of the Party,' Zhou said in the Chinese statement. 'I fully understand the weight of my responsibilities and will ensure the comprehensive, accurate, and unwavering implementation of the 'One Country, Two Systems' policy and the principle of 'patriots governing Hong Kong,'' he said. Plans to overhaul the District Council elections were unveiled in May 2023 to ensure only 'patriots' were elected, following a pro-democracy landslide at the last polls in 2019. The number of seats chosen democratically by the public were slashed from 452 to 88 – reducing the power of public votes to a fifth. The rest are to be chosen by the city's leader and government-appointed committees. Constituency boundaries were redrawn, the opposition were shut out, voting hours were slashed by an hour, and each local council is to be chaired by a government official, similar to colonial-era arrangements. All candidates undergo national security vetting to ensure patriotism. Meeting with John Lee Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee met with Zhou 'in a cordial and productive atmosphere' on Saturday, welcoming Zhou on his new appointment and expressing gratitude for Beijing's care and support for Hong Kong, according to a government statement. 'Director Zhou Yi has extensive experience in local governance and a broad perspective on policy-making,' the Chinese statement read, adding that Zhou was 'well acquainted' with China's policies on Hong Kong. According to the statement, Zhou led a delegation to visit Hong Kong last year and 'gain better insights into its economic development.'
RTHK
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
CE welcomes appointment of Zhou Ji
CE welcomes appointment of Zhou Ji John Lee welcomes the appointment of Zhou Ji as the new director of Beijing's liaison office here, noting his wealth of experience and knowledge of national policies on Hong Kong. File photo: AFP Chief Executive John Lee on Friday welcomed the appointment of Zhou Ji as the new head of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong, expressing confidence that he will lead the office in continuing its support to the SAR. In a statement, Lee also thanked departing liaison office director Zheng Yanxiong for his contributions to the city, noting that he had fully supported the city's government in fulfilling its historic mission of enacting local national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law during his two-year tenure. The State Council had earlier announced that Zhou, 61, would replace Zheng as both the director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) and as national security advisor of the SAR's Committee for Safeguarding National Security. Lee noted that Zhou is well acquainted with the national policies in Hong Kong, having served as the Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council since July 2023. 'I am fully confident that Mr Zhou will lead the LOCPG in continuing its support to the HKSAR 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,' Lee said in the statement. 'I am also confident that Mr Zhou will lead the LOCPG in its continued co-operation with the HKSAR Government of promoting the HKSAR'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,' he added. Lee also expressed his deep gratitude to Zheng for steadfastly upholding the 'one country, two systems' principle on issues such as safeguarding national security and maintaining the city's constitutional order.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing removes Zheng Yanxiong as head of liaison office in Hong Kong
Zheng Yanxiong has been removed as director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong and the Chinese government has appointed Zhou Ji, the executive deputy director of the top Beijing office for the city's affairs, to replace him. Advertisement The State Council, China's cabinet, announced late on Friday that Zhou, the executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), had been appointed to lead the central government's liaison office in the city. Zhou Ji, the executive deputy director of the top Beijing office for the city's affairs, will replace Zheng Yanxiong. Photo: Handout In a brief statement, it also said it had removed Zheng, 61, from all three of his posts, namely as the director of the liaison office, as deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and as adviser to the city's national security committee. It was not immediately clear what prompted the replacement or where Zheng would be posted next. Zhou, who was appointed as executive deputy director of the HKMAO in 2023, will also take over Zheng's role on the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of Hong Kong. Advertisement More to follow …
