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Curbing the epidemic is the overriding mission at present

The fifth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong is deteriorating drastically and our anti-epidemic effort has come under severe challenge. With the continuing surge of infection cases, bottlenecks have appeared in many core parts of our anti-epidemic work. This battle against the epidemic is crucial to whether we could fully implement the goal of “putting people and lives as top priority”, and is key to stabilising people’s confidence and the economy.

At this critical moment, President Xi Jinping has expressed his care for Hong Kong and given an important instruction. We will fight the epidemic with unwavering determination, confidence and the concerted efforts of the whole society. As emphasised by President Xi, we have to stabilise the epidemic situation early as the overriding mission at present, mobilise all available manpower and resources and adopt all necessary measures to safeguard the lives and health of Hong Kong people and the stability of society. This important instruction not only gives us a clear direction for our fight against the epidemic, but also reflects the expectation on our work.

The SAR Government should assume the main responsibility in fighting the epidemic. In the face of serious limitation in anti-epidemic resources, facilities and manpower during this difficult time, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Xi’s care and guidance on Hong Kong, the staunch support of the Central Authorities and local governments, the efforts of our colleagues from different bureaux and departments and the support of different sectors of the community. Despite the rapid spreading of the epidemic, with President Xi’s care and instruction as well as the staunch support from the ministries and commissions of the Central Authorities and the Guangdong Provincial Government, the SAR Government will mobilise the whole society and strive to contain the virus as soon as possible with all-out effort, determination and confidence. This would be the best way to meet the expectations of President Xi and Hong Kong people.

Curbing the epidemic is the overriding mission at present. The care, guidance and support of the Central Authorities have boosted our confidence and made us more united. By working with different sectors of the community together with determination, we can surely win this battle against the epidemic!

February 16, 2022