Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Hong Kong’s leader to proactively align with the 15th five-year plan, while offering his full recognition of the local government’s work as he extended condolences to the families of victims of the city’s deadliest fire in decades.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reported to central leaders in Beijing on Tuesday that the city’s budget was on track to return to a surplus this financial year – a year sooner than previously projected – following a record HK$100 billion (US$12.9 billion) deficit for the past three years.
Xi said that Beijing fully recognised the work of Lee and his administration in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, successfully holding the December 7 Legislative Council election, and boosting the city’s economy by integrating into the national development.
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“The serious fire in Tai Po is heartbreaking. I express my deep mourning to the deceased and the firefighter who died on duty, and extend condolences to the families of the victims and those affected,” the president said.
Lee is on an annual three-day duty visit to Beijing to update central leaders on his administration’s work, less than a month after the Tai Po fire, which broke out on November 26 and claimed at least 160 lives, including that of a firefighter. Six people remained missing as of last Wednesday, and nearly 5,000 residents were displaced.
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Xi urged Hong Kong to align with the 15th five-year plan, the country’s development blueprint from 2026 to 2030, to achieve better development.