CE rejects interference claims

The Liaison Office of the central government in Hong Kong is not involved in the city’s internal affairs, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday.

Lam made the statement in response to media enquiries over Liaison Office Director Wang Zhimin’s remarks made on Sunday about enhancing cooperation with the special administrative region government.

Lam said the duties and responsibilities of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, laid down by the State Council, ensure the success of “one country, two systems” and fully abide by the Basic Law.

Central government officials are invited to discuss issues with a strong mainland angle but the Liaison Office is not involved in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, where the city practices a high degree of autonomy, Lam stressed.

To better integrate the SAR into national development — as laid down by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China — Hong Kong does need a lot more liaison and better understanding of national strategies; this is where the Liaison Office’s role comes in, Lam said.

Thus Lam said she takes a “more pragmatic approach” in her working relationship with the Liaison Office in this term of the government.

She stressed the cooperation with the Liaison Office could help promote Hong Kong’s development in many areas, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong KongMacao Bay Area; the financial services and the innovation and technology; and youth’s exchange with the mainland.

The office could also help implement more measures to support Hong Kong people’s life on the mainland, she added. “This is all for Hong Kong’s better prospects.”

On Sunday, Wang vowed deeper cooperation with the SAR government, saying the government and Liaison Office would “walk together” more and strive for a brighter future for the city.

The State Council assigns the Liaison Office five duties — including promoting Hong Kong-mainland exchanges and cooperation on economy, education, science, culture and sports; enhancing Hong Kong’s liaison with the relevant ministries and organizations on the mainland; and reflecting Hong Kong people’s views to the central government.

The cooperation with the Liaison Office could help promote Hong Kong’s development in many areas.”

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor