On city leader’s three-day visit to Beijing, President Xi Jinping also extends condolences to families of victims of Tai Po fire
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Hong Kong to proactively align with the nation’s 15th five-year plan, while offering his full recognition of the city leader’s work as he extended his condolences to the families of victims of the Tai Po fire, the deadliest in decades locally.
During an annual duty visit to Beijing, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reported to central leaders on Tuesday that the city’s budget was on track to return to a surplus for the current financial year – 12 months earlier than previously projected – after a deficit of HK$87.2 billion (US$11.2 billion) in 2024-25.
Lee’s three-day trip to the capital came less than a month after the Tai Po fire, which broke out on November 26 and killed at least 160 people, including a firefighter. Six people remain missing while nearly 5,000 residents were displaced.
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“Over the past year, you have diligently fulfilled your duties, leading Hong Kong proactively and with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment,” Xi told Lee.
He pointed to the Lee administration’s efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and security as well as development interests, successfully holding the Legislative Council election this month, and boosting the city’s economy by integrating into national development.
“The central government fully affirms your work and that of the [Hong Kong government],” Xi added.
The president also reiterated the central government’s pledge in adhering to the principles of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong” and the city having a high degree of autonomy, as stated in the 15th five-year plan, the nation’s development blueprint from 2026 to 2030.
“You and the [local] government should actively align with the nation’s plan in fostering better development for Hong Kong,” he said.
Xi, who previously sent his condolences and instructions for an all-out effort to extinguish the blaze and minimise casualties on the day it broke out, again expressed his sympathies over the tragedy.
He said that Beijing fully recognised the work of Lee and his administration in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, successfully holding the December 7 Legislative Council election, and boosting the city’s economy by integrating into the national development.
“The serious fire in Tai Po is heartbreaking. I express my deep mourning to the deceased and the firefighter who died on duty, and extend condolences to the families of the victims and those affected,” the president said.
Lee in turn expressed his gratitude to Xi for attaching great importance to the Tai Po fire and swiftly instructing the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) to coordinate support for the city.
“Mainland provinces, cities, enterprises, as well as compatriots at home and abroad, have all provided support, condolences and donations,” Lee said, pledging to go all out in relief and rebuilding efforts.
“Hongkongers and I are deeply grateful for this spirit of ‘help coming from all sides in times of need’.”
Lee reported on the administration’s work on holding the Legco election on December 7, safeguarding national security and deepening reforms, as well as on improving governance, livelihoods and the economy. He also said that the government’s budget would be out of red this year.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po previously projected that the government’s operating account would return to a surplus in the 2026-27 financial year.
The government recorded a deficit of HK$56.8 billion in the first seven months of the 2025-26 financial year, while its reserves stood at HK$597.5 billion as of October.
“Hong Kong’s economy has maintained persistent growth, while the government’s budget is on track to return to surplus this year,” Lee said.
“These reflect that Hong Kong is progressing steadily and that the global community has confidence in the city.”
Lee vowed to seize opportunities under the 15th five-year plan and push for high-quality development to make Hong Kong a safer and more prosperous city.
The closed-door meeting between Lee and Xi was also attended by Premier Li Qiang and two other members of the Politburo Standing Committee – the Beijing leadership’s highest decision-making body – Executive Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, who heads the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Works, and Central Committee general office director Cai Qi.
HKMAO head Xia Baolong and Zhou Ji, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, also attended the meeting.
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant for the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, said that Xi had high expectations for Hong Kong’s role in the 15th five-year plan.
“He is aware that Hong Kong faces suppression from the West, and the global economic environment is far from ideal,” Lau said.
“For Hong Kong to drive economic development, industrial transformation and upgrading, doesn’t it need to rely even more on the nation, particularly by actively participating in national development strategies?”
Lau said Xi expected Hong Kong to consider its comparative advantages when devising its future development direction and defining its unique position, to better harness opportunities from national development and serve the country.
He noted that the president did not comment on the government’s handling of the Tai Po fire publicly during his opening remarks, given the city had set up an independent committee to review the tragedy. Hong Kong could expect full support from Beijing for relief efforts as well as future reforms in the wake of the blaze, he added.
During last year’s meeting, Xi said that Beijing “fully recognised” Lee’s work and commended him for being “pragmatic and enterprising”.
Xi praised Lee’s administration for enacting the domestic national security law, addressing challenging livelihood issues and expanding the city’s international influence.
The president also pledged that the central government would fully support Lee in uniting society, implementing reforms and creating new momentum for economic development.
Separately, the Hong Kong Bar Association also conducted its annual visit to Beijing.
The delegation, led by chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet, planned to visit the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Supreme People’s Court, and the All China Lawyers Association on Tuesday.
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