Premier Li grants appointment certificate to incoming HKSAR chief executive

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) grants the official certificate of appointment to Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor as the fifth-term chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Premier Li Keqiang Tuesday granted the official certificate of appointment to Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who will take office as the fifth-term chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on July 1.

He said that the central government would give full support to the chief executive and the SAR government in developing the economy, improving people's quality of life and enhancing exchanges and cooperation with the mainland.

"Hong Kong's development is of need to both itself and the nation," Li said.

The central government will draw up a plan for the development of a city cluster in the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," and establish a bond market connect between the mainland and the HKSAR in 2017.

"Such moves are aimed at increasing exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and injecting new energy into the development of the latter," Li said.

The premier said that the central government would continue its support for such measures as long as they are conducive to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, promoting a mutually complementary and beneficial relationship between the mainland and Hong Kong, and consolidating and improving Hong Kong's status as an international financial, trade and shipping center.

Li expressed his hope that Lam would not let the public down and take initiative to unite and lead the HKSAR government and people from all walks of life in the region to fully and accurately implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and the HKSAR Basic Law.

Li also said Lam should carefully plan the overall and long-term development of Hong Kong, increase its competitiveness, pay attention to improving quality of life and create a stable environment for the HKSAR's progress.

During the meeting, Lam expressed her thanks for the central government's appointment and its concern and support for the SAR's development.

She said she would carry out her duty diligently and make all-out efforts to do her work well, adding that she would live up to the expectations of the central government and the great trust of Hong Kong citizens.

Lam won the election to become the chief executive of HKSAR on March 26 with 777 of 1,163 valid votes.