Northern Metropolis, security on Lee's Beijing agenda

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu embarked on his second duty visit to Beijing yesterday, where he is expected to update state leaders about security issues and the Northern Metropolis mega-development.

Lee arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport at around 11am yesterday, without answering questions from reporters. He landed in Beijing in the afternoon and checked in at the Diaoyutai State Guest House at 5pm.

Sources said his meetings with state leaders will commence today to brief them about the SAR economic, social and political situation.

Lee's entourage includes Carol Yip Man-kuen, the director of the chief executive's office, and Kevin Choi, the private secretary to the chief executive.

He returns to Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki will serve as Acting Chief Executive during Lee's absence.

Lee had told the media last week that he would be reporting on the December 10 district council election to top officials.

Nearly 1.2 million people cast their ballot in the polls, a record-low 27.54 percent turnout for a race that was limited to patriots.

Some pro-establishment politicians said the low turnout were partly due to the failure of the electronic voter register system - used to verify the identity of voters - two hours before the polls ended, which drove away some voters due to the long queues outside the polling stations.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong as expected became the biggest winner of the election, getting 147 out of 470 seats across 18 district councils.

The second biggest party, the Federation of Trade Unions, holds 43 of the council seats, with the New People's Party at third, followed by the Business and Professionals Alliance and the Liberal Party.

Lee met President Xi Jinping and then Premier Li Keqiang during his first duty visit to Beijing in December last year, when he was praised by Xi for leading the Hong Kong government in a courageous and pragmatic manner.

Xi recognized Lee's work to safeguard national security and recover the SAR's economy, adding the central government fully recognized and supported Lee and SAR authorities as Hong Kong is on the right track under the one country, two systems principle.

The president reiterated the one country, two systems is a great initiative and the best arrangement to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau.

Lee reported to the state leaders that the Hong Kong government will "faithfully and resolutely" implement the principle, recover the SAR's economy and address citizens' concerns.

His government would also reinforce the city's position as an international financial, trade and shipping center, he said.