Chief Executive John Lee today welcomed Zheng Yanxiong on his new posts as Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and National Security Adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong SAR.

Mr Lee issued a statement on Mr Zheng's appointment by the State Council.

He noted that Mr Zheng became the first Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR in July 2020 and led the office in performing its mandate of safeguarding national security in accordance with the law, effectively co-ordinating with the Hong Kong SAR Committee on National Security, as well as overseeing and guiding the city's work in safeguarding national security.

“I have every confidence that Mr Zheng will lead the LOCPG in continuing to support the Hong Kong SAR Government's governance in accordance with the law, and to work together in fully, faithfully and resolutely implementing the principles of 'one country, two systems' and 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' with a high degree of autonomy.”

The Chief Executive also said he is fully confident that Mr Zheng will continue to maintain the Hong Kong SAR's constitutional order as stipulated in the Constitution and the Basic Law and implement the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong".

As Hong Kong embarks on the critical period of breaking new ground and leaping forward, he is sure that Mr Zheng will continue to co-operate with the Hong Kong SAR Government in supporting the promotion of Hong Kong's integration into national development and making greater contribution to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Meanwhile, the State Council announced the removal of Luo Huining as the LOCPG Director, National Security Adviser to the committee and Deputy Director of its Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office.

Mr Lee, together with the Hong Kong SAR Government, expressed their gratitude to Mr Luo for his devotion and effort in performing his duties as LOCPG Director as well as his contribution to the Hong Kong SAR.

“On the important issues of safeguarding national security and the Hong Kong SAR's constitutional order, Mr Luo has always adhered to the 'one country, two systems' principle, ensuring the accurate understanding of all sectors of Hong Kong in the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong SAR.

“Since the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR Committee on National Security in accordance with the law, Mr Luo has been serving as its National Security Adviser, as appointed by the Central People's Government, to ensure the effective implementation of the National Security Law in the Hong Kong SAR.

“Mr Luo has played an important role in the process of Hong Kong's major transition from chaos to order and advancement to the crucial stage of prosperity.”

The Chief Executive also expressed his respect to Mr Luo who led the LOCPG in fully supporting Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work when the city was faced with severe challenges brought by the COVID-19 epidemic, co-ordinating and uniting all walks of life in implementing support measures to fight the epidemic together.