Zhou Ji named new head of Hong Kong Liaison Office

China's State Council has appointed Zhou Ji -- executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) -- as the new director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the city and the national security adviser to the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, replacing Zheng Yanxiong.

Concurrently, Zheng was removed from his duties as director of the Liaison Office, deputy director of the HKMAO, and national security advisor post.

Official records from the HKMAO indicate that Zhou, 61, previously served as a standing committee member of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee, as well as a standing committee member of the Henan Provincial Party Committee, deputy secretary of the provincial government, vice governor, and deputy party secretary.

Zheng, also 61, was appointed in July 2020 as the first director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong and took over as director of the Liaison Office in 2023, succeeding Luo Huining.

John Lee welcomes Zhou's appointment

In a statement issued late on Friday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu extended a warm welcome to Zhou's new role and expressed deep gratitude to Zheng for his contributions during his tenure.

Lee noted that Zhou has been directly involved in managing and coordinating Hong Kong affairs, demonstrating a strong grasp of national policies toward the city.

Last year, Zhou led a delegation to Hong Kong for inspections and research, facilitating the implementation of central government policies supporting Hong Kong's development and conveying the central leadership's care for its residents, said Lee.

The Hong Kong leader sincerely thanked the central government for its unwavering support and expressed confidence that Zhou would lead the Liaison Office in continuing to assist the SAR government in lawful governance.

He emphasized the shared commitment to upholding the One Country, Two Systems principle, maintaining constitutional order under the Constitution and the Basic Law, and ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong."

Lee added that the HKSAR government looks forward to collaborating closely with Zhou to align with national strategies, foster new economic growth drivers, and propel Hong Kong's transition from stability to prosperity, contributing to the nation's rejuvenation.