The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council have released a plan on reforming Party and state institutions (Reform Plan), specifying the formation of a Hong Kong and Macao work office of the CPC Central Committee on the basis of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. The new office will function as a working body of the CPC Central Committee. Welcoming and supporting the decision of the Central Authorities, the Legislative Council (LegCo) considers that the reform has far-reaching implications, demonstrating that the Central Authorities attach great importance to the work on Hong Kong and Macao. The reform is conducive to a more comprehensive and faithful implementation of the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
 
     The President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, said that General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report of the 20th National Congress of CPC that "one country, two systems" is the best institutional arrangement for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao after their return to the motherland, and that the policy must be adhered to persistently. As stated in the Reform Plan, the Hong Kong and Macao work office of the CPC Central Committee will undertake the investigation, research, co-ordination and supervision of upholding the principle of "one country, two systems", exercising the Central Authorities' overall jurisdiction, governing Hong Kong and Macao in accordance with the law, safeguarding national security, protecting people's livelihood and well-being, etc. The Reform Plan demonstrates the Central Authorities' expectations for laying a more solid foundation for the resolute, full and faithful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.
 
     Mr Leung stressed that as the legislature of the SAR, LegCo will definitely maintain good interaction and communication with the Hong Kong and Macao work office of the CPC Central Committee, so as to fully reflect the voices of various sectors of the community and the public and assist the Central Authorities in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the actual situation in Hong Kong. It is to ensure the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" can meet the expectations of the public and to promote the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, with a view to enable the successful and steadfast implementation of "one country, two systems".

Ends/Friday, March 17, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:05

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