Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that the new head of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong showed the importance he attaches to the community and people's livelihoods by visiting two districts at the weekend.
Zhou Ji, who was previously a deputy executive director at the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in the capital, was appointed to his new post on Friday. He visited Tsing Yi and Sham Shui Po on Sunday.
Lee said the new director is very experienced in district governance, describing him as humble and pragmatic.
The new director also met Lee twice in his first three days in Hong Kong, and Lee said better communication will only help the SAR's prosperity and stability.
"I will work my very best to ensure that my communication and understanding with Director Zhou and also with the liaison office as a whole will be enhanced, so that the best policies for Hong Kong will be made as a result of full and accurate reflection of the situation of Hong Kong," he said ahead of an Executive Council meeting.
Lee also said he wanted to thank the new director for stating categorically and publicly that he will continue to support the chief executive and his administration in dutifully governing Hong Kong in accordance with the law.
The CE added that former liaison office chief Zheng Yanxiong, along with other officials from the office, have played their part in helping the SAR government lead Hong Kong's journey from stability to prosperity.
Lee also stressed that while Hong Kong has to make every effort in developing the economy and improving people's livelihoods, development and security are matters that must be dealt with at the same time.