Communist Party a ‘fundamental safeguard’ of Hong Kong’s prosperity: John Lee

The leadership of the Communist Party is a “fundamental safeguard” of Hong Kong’s prosperity, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said amid celebrations to mark the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule and the 105th year of the party.The city leader on Wednesday also set priorities for the final year of his five-year term, stressing that he had changed the culture of the government during his four years in office and rolled out policies that delivered results.In a speech at the reception marking the city’s handover anniversary on July 1, Lee said this year’s event was also significant as it coincided with the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party.The city would hold a series of activities to celebrate the “extraordinary and meaningful” anniversary of the party with all sectors of society, he said.“The vibrancy and prosperity of our country has always been Hong Kong’s strongest backing,” he said at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.Lee emphasised that, under the Chinese constitution, rule by the Communist Party was the overriding principle of the country’s political system. The constitution also provided the foundation for maintaining Hong Kong’s capitalist system and way of life, he added.