HK’s top priority is to rein in Covid: Xi Jinping

President Xi Jinping says he’s highly concerned about the Covid-19 outbreaks in Hong Kong, and has ordered SAR government to make it its top priority to put things back under control.

According to local newspapers Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po, Xi had asked Vice Premier Han Zheng to convey his concern to Chief Executive Carrie Lam, as well as his warm wishes to the people of Hong Kong.

The articles published on Wednesday quoted Xi as saying that the SAR government must shoulder the main responsibility of reining in the outbreaks, mobilise all the manpower and resources it has and introduce every necessary measure to ensure the safety and health of Hong Kong people, and the stability of society.

The president also said the central government and other local authorities must give their full support and assistance to the SAR government.

The article cited Han Zheng as saying central authorities and the Guangdong provincial government must respond to the SAR’s demand for help.

This includes boosting the SAR’s testing capacity, building more isolation and treatment facilities, ensuring the supply of fresh food and other daily necessities, as well as sending over medical experts to give guidance.

The central government had also decided to step up coordination of anti-epidemic work for Hong Kong, which will be led by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the National Health Commission.

It will also involve relevant central authorities and experts, as well as the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments, the articles noted.

The papers quoted sources as saying Guangdong had recently held meetings over how to support Hong Kong and maintain stable supply of resources to the SAR.