This undated photo shows the Central Government Offices at Tamar, Hong Kong. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed support on Wednesday for the white paper on "The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era" published by the central government earlier on the same day.

In a statement, Lee said the white paper righteously reiterates to the world the fact that Taiwan is part of China and demonstrates the central authorities' firm stance and policy on materializing the reunification of the motherland.

Being the best institutional guarantee for Hong Kong, “one country, two systems” is an important cornerstone for maintaining the city's long-term prosperity and stability and a successful national policy that provides the HKSAR with its unique edge of having close connections with the world and strong support from the motherland, said Chief Executive John Lee

“Citing historical developments and jurisprudence, the white paper states that the one-China policy is a universal consensus of the international community and an indisputable and unalterable fact as reflected in the relevant resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly,” the statement read.

READ MORE: China issues white paper on Taiwan question, reunification

According to the white paper, “Peaceful reunification and ‘one country, two systems’ are our basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question and the best approach to realizing national reunification,” Lee was quoted as saying in the statement. 

“Embodying the Chinese wisdom – we thrive by embracing each other – they take full account of Taiwan's realities and are conducive to long-term stability in Taiwan after reunification.”

Lee noted that the paper rightly points out that some political forces in Taiwan have long been purposefully misinterpreting and smearing “one country, two systems” and advocating “Taiwan independence”.

He stressed that “one country, two systems” has proven to be a successful national policy and its successful implementation in Hong Kong is widely recognized.

Being the best institutional guarantee for Hong Kong, “one country, two systems” is an important cornerstone for maintaining the city's long-term prosperity and stability and a successful national policy that provides the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with its unique edge of having close connections with the world and strong support from the motherland.

The thorough and precise implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle also opens up broader prospects for the development of Hong Kong, he noted.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said he would fully facilitate, in accordance with the law, all measures combatting foreign and external elements in their attempts to pursue "Taiwan independence"

Lee noted that the HKSAR government resolutely opposes any interference by external forces in the internal affairs of China and fully supports and facilitates the necessary measures by the central government.

A number of principal government officials have also expressed a similar sentiment in separate statements issued on Wednesday.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said any attempts to pursue “Taiwan independence” are doomed to fail. 

“As a part of the country, Hong Kong will firmly support all measures taken by the country to fully safeguard national sovereignty, security and core interests, as well as to forge the reunification of the motherland,” Chan said in a statement.

FULL TEXT: China's white paper on Taiwan and reunification

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the HKSAR government will continue to fully and faithfully implement the principle of “one country, two systems”, and steadfastly support and facilitate the country's efforts towards peaceful national reunification.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok meanwhile, said he supports “the great reunification of the motherland in accordance with the principles as stated in the white paper.”

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said he would fully facilitate, in accordance with the law, all measures combatting foreign and external elements in their attempts to pursue "Taiwan independence".