The head of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong has called on the city to focus on economic progress, proactively align with national development and strengthen the executive-led governance model.

Office director Zhou Ji made the remarks on Wednesday at a reception to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year, highlighting Beijing’s expectations for Hong Kong in keeping with the country’s 15th five-year plan. He also urged Hongkongers to overcome adversity by embracing the “Lion Rock Spirit” and stand united.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu outlined four key priorities for the coming year in his speech at the event hosted by the office: deepening integration into national development; boosting the economy; improving residents’ livelihoods; and optimising the executive-led mechanism.

Zhou, attending the event for the first time since assuming office in May last year, urged Hong Kong to achieve high-quality economic development.

“I believe Hong Kong will better coordinate development and security, and cultivate new-quality productive forces based on local conditions,” he said.

“Be a reformer who braves challenges rather than a complacent idler so as to solidly advance high-quality economic development.”