The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government supports the nation’s diplomatic policy toward Japan, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Monday after attending a seminar on key insights into the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China’s fourth plenary session.

“The Japanese leader’s blatant and extremely erroneous remarks about the Taiwan region have hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and challenged the post-war international order. No Chinese person would agree with this,” Lee said at a news conference after the seminar.

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Lee said the Security Bureau has advised Hong Kong residents traveling to or currently in Japan to remain vigilant and take safety precautions. Furthermore, Hong Kong airlines have said they will offer passengers traveling to Japan flexible options for adjusting their itineraries.

When asked about reports that the SAR government has begun to suspend official exchanges with the Japanese consulate general in Hong Kong, Lee said that the remarks from the Japanese side have severely damaged Sino-Japanese communication and cast doubt on the potential for exchanges.

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“Our arrangements must align with national dignity and the interests of the Hong Kong people. We will continue to pay attention to the nation’s policies in this regard and ensure that Hong Kong residents, including those residing in Japan, remain vigilant about their personal safety,” he added.

The seminar on the insights into the 20th Central Committee of the CPC’s fourth plenary session was held on Monday at the government headquarters, attracting 500 attendees, including officials from the SAR government, members of the Executive Council, legislators, and representatives from the Judiciary.

Contact the writer at irismuk@chinadailyhk.com