Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has praised Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying for upholding the One Country, Two Systems principle, during the incumbent leader’s last duty visit to Beijing on Wednesday.
Leung was visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The chief executive is young and able,” Wang told Leung in front of reporters. “You love the country as well as Hong Kong.”
“After you became chief executive, we cared about you very much, we saw that although you faced a very complicated environment internally and externally, you persisted in upholding the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, putting your effort into carrying out a lot of beneficial work for the country and for Hong Kong,” Wang said.
The State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, and the Liaison Office in Hong Kong, both affirmed Leung’s work, Wang added.
Leung had announced that he would not seek re-election before the visit, citing family reasons. Both offices at the time praised Leung’s work and voiced respect for his decision.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not involved in Hong Kong affairs, but we all care about you and support you – we thank you for your contribution,” Wang said.
In response to Wang’s praise, Leung said Hong Kong is an international city of China, and he was thankful for the support from Wang and the Foreign Ministry over the years. He said it enabled Hong Kong to develop foreign relations and develop the economy, which in turn contributed to the country.
Leung is expected to meet state leaders as early as Thursday. He will return to Hong Kong on Friday night.
