Chief Executive John Lee expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of former Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th and 11th National People’s Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo.

Mr Lee pointed out that Mr Wu had all along held the development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region close to his heart, and had reached out to people from all walks of life during his various visits to Hong Kong, fully demonstrating the central authorities’ unwavering support for the city.

He also noted that Mr Wu had reiterated on multiple occasions the central government’s firm commitment to the implementation of “one country, two systems”, under which “the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong” with a high degree of autonomy; working in strict accordance with the Basic Law; as well as fully supporting the administration of the Chief Executive and the Hong Kong SAR Government in accordance with the law to maintain Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.

During Mr Wu’s tenure as NPC Standing Committee Chairman, the committee deliberated and unanimously passed the “Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Issues Relating to the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region & for Forming the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Year 2012 & on Issues Relating to Universal Suffrage”.

Mr Lee said: “On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr Wu’s family.”