‘Hong Kong has lived up to expectations,’ Beijing says in new year message
City leader John Lee vows to deepen reform and seize opportunities in online post, following President Xi Jinping’s wishes for the city
Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs said on New Year’s Day that the city had lived up to expectations, highlighting its response to the deadly Tai Po fire as proof of “unity and resilience”.
The office’s comments came as city leader John Lee Ka-chiu, in response to President Xi Jinping’s new year greetings, pledged that Hong Kong would pursue quality development, deepen reforms and open up.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office noted that both special administrative regions had lived up to expectations and advanced in unity under Xi’s leadership and guidance.
“Hong Kong responded effectively and decisively to a major fire, showing unity and resilience in the face of adversity,” the office said in a commentary published under the pen name “Gang Ao Ping”.
In his 2026 message delivered on New Year’s Eve, Xi said he was pleased Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau came together in unity during the recent National Games.
“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.