Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs said on New Year’s Day that the city’s administration had lived up to expectations, stressing its effective response to the deadly Tai Po fire demonstrated unity and resilience.
Acknowledging President Xi Jinping’s New Year wishes for the city, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also pledged in a social media post on Thursday that the city must focus on its priorities, promote high-quality development, further deepen reforms and open up.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office noted in a commentary published under the pen name “Gang Ao Ping” that the two special administrative regions had lived up to expectations and advanced in unity under the leadership and guidance of President Xi Jinping.
“Hong Kong responded effectively and decisively to a major fire, showing unity and resilience in the face of adversity,” the office said.
The commentary and John Lee’s post came after Xi’s 2026 New Year’s message delivered on the eve of the holiday.
“Not long ago, I attended the opening ceremony of the National Games, and I was glad to see Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau coming together in unity and acting in unison,” Xi said.
