Xi calls on China, Vietnam to seek strength through unity

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Vietnam to seek strength through unity and further enhance strategic communication while meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Hanoi on Monday for a two-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, and Luong Cuong.

"This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, and also the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Over the past 75 years, the China-Vietnam relations have evolved from a traditional friendship of comrades and brothers to a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, setting an example of friendship, mutual assistance, solidarity and cooperation between countries," Xi said.

"Standing at a new historical starting point, China is willing to strengthen strategic communication, solidarity and coordination with Vietnam in accordance with the six goals, work hand in hand to advance respective modernization, write a new chapter of seeking strength through unity and achieving win-win outcomes among socialist countries, and continuously demonstrate the regional and global influence of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future," he said.

The six goals for China-Vietnam relations under new circumstances refer to stronger political mutual trust, more substantial security cooperation, deeper practical cooperation, more solid public support for bilateral relations, closer coordination and collaboration on multilateral issues and better solutions for managing differences.

Vietnam is the first leg of Xi's current three-nation Southeast Asian tour, which will also take him to Malaysia and Cambodia from Tuesday to Friday.

Xi calls on China, Vietnam to seek strength through unity

Xi calls on China, Vietnam to seek strength through unity

Xi calls on China, Vietnam to seek strength through unity

Xi calls on China, Vietnam to seek strength through unity

John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), announced on Friday that an independent committee will have nine months to investigate the Wang Fuk Court fire that occurred in late November.

The fire, which erupted on November 26 in Tai Po, has claimed 160 lives as of 16:00 Tuesday, with six people still reported missing, according to authorities.

At a press conference, Lee said the committee will be led by Judge David Lok, chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, and will also include Legislative Council Finance Committee Chairman Chan Kin-por and outgoing MTR Corporation Chairman Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen.

"Nine months is a very challenging time indeed, but I want to solve the problem as quickly as possible. So I want to give what I regard as a time frame -- realistic -- provided the independent committee is given sufficient means to maneuver, while ensuring the examination is just. They can streamline procedure and be given more flexibility so that they can finish their work within the nine months. And I also have given them a reserve power. That is, if the independent committee considers, by examining all these complicated issues, there may be one which they think, by exercising the powers that is given to a statutory commissioner of inquiry, will help them complete their work, then I'm very willing to consider a recommendation by the independent commission to seek appointing them as the commission of inquiry," Lee said.

Lee noted that the committee's investigation will focus on the causes and circumstances of the fire, and whether systemic issues exist in large-scale building management and renovation projects.

The committee will also examine whether the current regulations and penalties are sufficient in these two areas and will make relevant recommendations. The investigation reports are expected to be made public.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, David Lok stressed the need for fairness and impartiality in the investigation, saying that he would refrain from commenting on the investigation until the committee completes its work.

"During this period, I hope everyone understands that although this is a committee, I am leading this work in my capacity as a judge. Judges must also adhere to certain professional principles, including being fair and impartial. We need to conduct rational analysis based on facts before making any factual judgments or recommendations; we cannot be emotional. Furthermore, we cannot have a pre-established position. In fact, before every judge hears a case, we should ideally start with a blank slate and cannot have a predetermined stance," said Lok.

"So today, if you ask me for my views on certain matters or how we will conduct the investigation, I’m afraid I won't be able to answer as freely as I could when I was at the Electoral Affairs Commission. But I hope all media friends and residents understand that I do not wish to evade questions; it is simply that some questions at this stage are inappropriate for the committee chair to answer. Therefore, during the investigation, I do not expect to speak with you again until our work is completed," he said.

Investigation into Tai Po fire to conclude within nine months: HKSAR chief executive