Senior HK Official Eulogizes Outgoing Commissioner

Acting Chief Executive of Hong Kong Anson Chan issued an official statement Wednesday to pay a tribute to outgoing Commissioner Ma Yuzhen of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Hong Kong.

The Central People's Government announced Wednesday that Ji Peiding would take over from Ma Yuzhen as the Commissioner of the MFA Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

"Under Commissioner Ma's able leadership, the MFA Office has since reunification handled foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR with admirable pragmatism and flexibility in accordance with the Basic Law," Chan said.

"The MFA Office has also provided strong support to the HKSAR government when it handled external matters on its own. As a result, the HKSAR has been able to manage its external affairs in accordance with the Basic Law, remain an active participant in international organizations and fully demonstrate the high degree of autonomy it enjoyed as a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China," she said.

"The performance of the MFA Office over the last four years has received wide recognition from both the local community and consular missions present in the HKSAR," Chan said.

Chan pointed out that on the basis of mutual respect, trust and support, the MFA Office has established cordial and effective working relations with various bureaux and departments of the HKSAR government.

It also served as an effective communication channel with the Central People's Government on foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR, she said.

"On behalf of the HKSAR government I wish Commissioner Ma and Mrs Ma happiness and good health. They will be dearly missed in Hong Kong. At the same time, I extend our warm welcome to Commissioner Ji and look forward to further enhancing our working relations with the MFA Office after he assumes office," Chan said.






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