The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council issued a statement on the 18th, stating that in view of the severe situation of the rapid spread of the fifth wave of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in order to concentrate on epidemic prevention and fight against the epidemic, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has decided to postpone the election of the sixth chief executive in accordance with the law. The attitude of being highly responsible for the safety and health of citizens and the determination to take all necessary measures to stabilize and control the epidemic as soon as possible are very necessary, reasonable and legal, and the central government fully understands and supports it.
The statement stated that since the Lunar New Year, the fifth wave of the new crown pneumonia outbreak in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has deteriorated rapidly, with new cases rising continuously, and the epidemic prevention situation is extremely severe.
President Xi Jinping cares about the safety and health of Hong Kong compatriots and is very concerned about Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work.
In the face of the severe epidemic, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in accordance with the "Decision of the National People's Congress on Improving the Election System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" and the "Emergency Regulations Regulations", decided in conjunction with the Executive Council to postpone the election of the sixth-term Chief Executive.
This decision reflects the concept of life first and people first, and is conducive to the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to unite and lead all sectors of society to focus on epidemic prevention and fight against the epidemic, make every effort to protect the life safety and health of citizens, and effectively maintain the overall social stability; it is conducive to the sixth executive The election of the chief executive will be conducted in a fair, just, open and safe manner, and will not affect the re-election of the SAR government, which is in the overall and long-term interests of Hong Kong.
The statement pointed out that the great motherland will always be a strong backing for Hong Kong to overcome the epidemic and all risks and challenges.
The central government and all relevant parties in the Mainland are making every effort to support Hong Kong's anti-epidemic work, including dispatching anti-epidemic experts, nucleic acid testing personnel, and testing vehicles to Hong Kong, supporting medical supplies, assisting in the construction of isolation and treatment facilities, assisting in critically ill treatment, and ensuring Supply of daily necessities such as fresh food.
We firmly believe that with the strong leadership of the central government and the strong support of the people of the whole country, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and people from all walks of life will unite as one and unite as one.
(Headquarters reporter Zhao Chaoyi)