Beijingโs top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs said on New Yearโs Day that the city had lived up to expectations, highlighting its response to the deadly Tai Po fire as proof of โunity and resilienceโ.
The officeโs comments came as city leader John Lee Ka-chiu, in response to President Xi Jinpingโs new year greetings, pledged that Hong Kong would pursue quality development, deepen reforms and open up.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office noted that both special administrative regions had lived up to expectations and advanced in unity under Xiโs leadership and guidance.
โHong Kong responded effectively and decisively to a major fire, showing unity and resilience in the face of adversity,โ the office said in a commentary published under the pen name โGang Ao Pingโ.
In his 2026 message delivered on New Yearโs Eve, Xi said he was pleased Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau came together in unity during the recent National Games.
โNot long ago, I attended the opening ceremony of the National Games, and I was glad to see Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau coming together in unity and acting in unison.