Concerned Xia Baolong gives 'clear instructions' on Hong Kong's economic plans, says acting CE

Beijing’s top official on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, gave “clear instructions” on how the SAR could align itself with national development, according to Acting Chief Executive Eric Chan Kwok-ki.

The director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office visited the Shenzhen-Hong Kong technology zone in Hetao on Sunday and met with several senior SAR officials including the acting CE and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.

Speaking before hosting the Executive Council meeting today, Eric Chan said Xia learned about the development progress of and plans for the tech zone and had a briefing from the financial secretary about Hong Kong’s economic situation. 

Chan described Xia as being “very concerned about Hong Kong”, weighing in on the SAR’s future plans for its economy and giving guidance on how the city could integrate into the national development policies.

 “This is a very good occasion for us to communicate with director Xia, so that we have a clear understanding of how the central government is thinking, especially how we should make good cooperation with our Guangdong counterparts," he said.

On civil service pay, the acting CE reiterated that the government always followed a stringent mechanism and would consider a range of factors such as Hong Kong’s economic situation, morale and demands raised by civil servants.

In a Facebook post, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu vowed that Hong Kong’s financial service sector will seek better development through further reforms.

Hui said his bureau, along with financial regulatory bodies and the industry, will work together to actively implement measures to deepen financial reform and innovation, developing gold trading, storage, clearing and delivery in Hong Kong.

The bureau also will provide a more convenient pathway for foreign companies to settle in Hong Kong by amending laws, and promote the mutual development of financial markets of the SAR and Shenzhen. 

The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Financial Co-operation Committee is scheduled to convene its next meeting on Thursday

(Jamie Liu)