Being among the handful of the city’s officials sanctioned by the US over their unswerving support of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and hitting back vigorously at the West’s relentless vilification of the Hong Kong Police Force, John Lee Ka-chiu has reached the final stage of achieving the honor of his life by receiving from Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing last week the appointment certificate for the sixth-term chief executive (CE) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
What has enlivened hopes from all stake-holding sectors for a promising future of the SAR rests invariably with the chief executive-designate’s streaks of courage, determination and ability that have commended him for heaped compliments and “full trust” by President Xi Jinping.
Meeting Lee in person for the first time since the CE election early in May, President Xi congratulated him on his great success in the election, with substantial praise for his enviable service record as the SAR’s security bureau chief and the chief secretary for administration. During the meeting, the State leader said, “You love the country and Hong Kong, and you were strongly determined. You were not afraid to shoulder responsibility, showed a can-do spirit and fulfilled your duties in different roles. You have made contributions to safeguard national security and to maintain the SAR’s stability.” With these laudable remarks came the central authorities’ full endorsement and faith in Lee’s succession to the SAR’s leadership.
In the meeting with Premier Li Keqiang right after the appointment certificate presentation, Lee was advised unmistakably that the central government will continue to ensure the full and accurate implementation of “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong. The premier also made it clear that Beijing “will exercise its overall jurisdiction over the SAR and firmly implement the principle of patriots governing Hong Kong”. This reaffirmed undertaking is indeed a much-cherished treasure to the local residents and overseas nationals working or investing in the city. Along the line of President Xi’s advice, Li further urged the SAR to strive to hold COVID-19 in check, improve people’s livelihoods, and seek a quick economic recovery.
As acknowledged most positively by President Xi, Lee’s work since his leadership of the SAR government’s security arm has broken fresh ground for the vital protection of security for the nation and the SAR. In September 2018, the SAR government officially declared the Hong Kong National Party — the first political party in the territory advocating openly for “Hong Kong independence” — to be an illegal society, with its operation axed on national security grounds under the Societies Ordinance. Consequential to the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong in June 2020, Civic Passion politician Cheng Chung-tai was unseated from the Legislative Council last August after his registration to become an ex officio member of the Election Committee was ruled invalid by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee, a high-powered mechanism set up with also community-respected non-civil service members to screen out candidates for public elections deemed “unpatriotic” or a threat to national security.
Under Lee’s chairmanship, the vetting committee would not let people who “pretend to uphold the Basic Law or pretend to pledge allegiance to the SAR” be whitewashed with “flowery words, because liars are best at playing different roles”. The invalidation of Cheng’s public service eligibility was preceded by the disqualification of four sitting legislators with immediate effect in November 2020 on grounds of their support for the territory’s “independence” or refusal to uphold national security. They were the Civic Party’s Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, Kwok Ka-ki, and Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, and Kenneth Leung Kai-cheong of the Professionals Guild.
Being a public official at the authorities’ top echelon, Lee firmly insists that people breaking the law must be held accountable despite that there are often people whose backgrounds will easily draw “special support or attention” from others in any place. To him, behavior in breach of the law has to be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
This highly acclaimed record of commitment and dedication to the vital interests of the country and the SAR has landed Lee in high credit for winning the profound trust of the State leaders. And as observed by Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, “Beijing would like to see people who are courageous, who are loyal to the country and to Beijing, and who are brave to take different challenges to become Hong Kong’s leaders.”
As a cornerstone for the SAR to advance from stability to good governance and renewed prosperity, the electoral reform last year was hailed by President Xi for having paved the way for the three subsequent elections that have been held smoothly to ensure the administration of Hong Kong by patriots in the upcoming years. He reassured that the new electoral system, which has been tried out successfully, will continue to meet the needs of the city’s development. This is fully agreed with by Lee, who has full confidence in the three successful elections bolstering the next five critical years of the SAR’s stable and booming growth as an international financial, trade and maritime hub. He has vowed to fully exploit the huge benefits bestowed by the new electoral mechanism and live up to the expectations of national leaders and people from across sectors in the city.
As fully appreciated by the chief executive-designate, assuming the office of the city’s leader amid a range of major challenges at this point in time is a significant job that he will shoulder with immense courage, a stern resolve and problem-solving strategies. He has pledged to make his utmost effort, and lead the new administration with loyalty and perseverance. Showered with precious blessings and trust in him from the State leadership, Lee has undoubtedly the crucial experience, capability, determination and a possibly united community to fulfill President Xi’s hopes that the reconstituted administration could open a new chapter for the SAR that glitters with a myriad of attainments before the world.
The author is a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.