Premier Li Keqiang sets out Beijing’s stance on postponement of Hong Kong chief executive race: it must be ‘strictly’ in line with Basic Law
- Premier also details Beijing’s expectations of Hong Kong government, emphasising three priorities state leaders have spelled out in various ways in recent months
- Administration told to unite and lead residents to continue developing economy, improve people’s livelihoods and strengthen city’s status as an international hub
He also set out Beijing’s expectations of the government, emphasising three priorities state leaders had spelled out in various ways in recent months. He called on the administration to unite and lead people from all walks of life to continue developing the economy, improving people’s livelihoods and strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international hub.
At his traditional press conference after the closing of the annual two sessions, or lianghui, Li was asked by a reporter what he thought of Hong Kong’s new electoral system and the coming chief executive poll, which had been postponed from March 27 to May 8.
Li prefaced his answer by noting that the severity of the fifth wave of infections in the city had prompted the local government to postpone the election “in accordance with the law and concentrate on fighting the epidemic”.
“We fully understand and support it. The central government is following the epidemic situation in Hong Kong every day and is deeply concerned for the life, health and safety of Hong Kong residents,” he said.
Li went on to say that the government had to shoulder the main responsibility for battling the coronavirus, with the central government fully supporting it in the fight.
He also added: “The change in the term of the Special Administrative Region government will be conducted in strict accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law.”
