Newly sworn-in Hong Kong leader John Lee vows to take a ‘can-do’ attitude to solve problems, day by day and ‘won’t let President Xi down’

Hong Kong’s newly sworn-in leader has pledged to embrace a “can-do” attitude while working to meet the public’s expectations, enhance the city’s competitiveness and develop the economy, all part of a to-do list handed to him by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Entrusted with four key tasks on Friday by Xi on his first day of work, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu was specifically told to improve governance, strengthen the momentum of development, take solid steps to address people’s livelihood problems and uphold harmony and stability, especially in taking care of young people and their aspirations.

Analysts said Xi had placed more emphasis on the importance of Hong Kong in grasping opportunities amid the period of transition over the next five years, and as the new leader said many times that he was interested in results, now was the time for him to deliver.

Speaking in Mandarin in his first speech after being sworn in by Xi at the inauguration ceremony on Friday, Lee said he took up the new position with a “humble heart”, as he thanked residents for their trust and promised to lead Hong Kong towards becoming an inclusive city “with plenty of opportunities and vitality”.

The city’s former No 2 official said since its return to Chinese rule, Hong Kong had overcome many challenges, from the global financial crises to the Occupy movement in 2014, the social unrest in 2019 and the coronavirus pandemic, and had “moved forward to scale new heights”.