Hong Kong leader John Lee pledges to gain more policy support from Beijing as he leads largest delegation to capital amid ‘two sessions’
- Ahead of his departure, Chief Executive John Lee says he is leading eight bureau chiefs to meet mainland Chinese officials
- Lee says he will attend closing ceremony of National People’s Congress on Monday morning
Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to win greater policy support from Beijing as he leads the largest delegation in recent years to the capital to meet mainland Chinese officials during a week-long trip.
Ahead of his departure, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Sunday said eight bureau chiefs, out of 15 in total, were accompanying him, while sources told the Post the Ministry of Finance would be among their first stops, followed by the ones for foreign affairs and culture and tourism.
“This reflects that we attach great importance to seizing every chance to strive for more policy support for Hong Kong from different ministerial departments and institutions after the border reopening,” Lee said, referring to the restoration of normal cross-border travel between the city and the mainland earlier this year.
The eight policy heads oversee financial services, commerce and economic development, education, innovation and technology, health, constitutional and mainland affairs, security, and culture, sports and tourism.
Speaking to the media at the Hong Kong International Airport, Lee said he would attend the closing ceremony of the NPC on Monday morning before meeting with mainland ministerial officials.
He also congratulated President Xi Jinping, who secured an unprecedented third-term in power, saying his re-election reflected his leadership had “guided China into a new stage”.