20 of 21 Hongkongers in Israel and Iran have left the countries: John Lee

All but one of the 21 Hongkongers who were in Israel or Iran have left the countries safely, Hong Kong’s leader has said, adding that escalating tensions in the Middle East will not affect the city’s efforts to develop markets there.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the Immigration Department had received inquiries from 21 Hong Kong residents who were in Israel or Iran as of Monday.

“Twenty of them have already departed safely. The department will continue to maintain close contact with the remaining one Hong Kong resident and provide appropriate assistance,” he said, adding that local authorities would communicate with the arm of Beijing’s foreign ministry in Hong Kong, as well as relevant embassies.

Despite the escalation in tensions in the Middle East, Lee said the conflict would not affect Hong Kong’s further cooperation with countries in the region.

“No matter how the world changes, economic and trade development must proceed, and we will all see the importance and necessity of cooperation,” he said.

“Whether it is the Middle East, Hong Kong, or other places, I believe that every government is working hard in other areas to ensure that economic development is not affected, and should work even harder.