Jiang remembered as ‘an outstanding leader’ in the SARs
Communities in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Jiang Zemin, former president of the People’s Republic of China, saying that Jiang was an outstanding and great leader whose contribution to the country and people will always be remembered.
Jiang passed away in Shanghai on Wednesday at the age of 96, due to leukemia and multiple organ failure. From Thursday, national flags and regional flags were flown at half-staff at main government buildings in Hong Kong and Macao.
The central government’s liaison offices in the two SARs have each set up a mourning hall to receive condolences from the community. Groups of local residents and many influential figures, including the chief executives of the two SARs, have visited the mourning halls to express their grief.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that, as the core of the Communist Party of China’s third generation of central collective leadership and the principal founder of the Theory of Three Represents, Jiang was widely recognized as an outstanding leader with high prestige.
Jiang broke new ground for the country’s comprehensive reform and opening-up, implemented the basic policies of law-based governance of the country, and upheld the principles of “peaceful reunification of China” and “one country, two systems”, making great contributions to the realization of the smooth return of Hong Kong and Macao, Lee said.
Lee pledged to spare no effort in the full and faithful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, contributing to the realization of national rejuvenation.