Securing economy now top priority

Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office director Xia Baolong's week-long visit to Hong Kong is more than a fact-finding mission - it is also a trip dedicated to assuring local and international investors that the city is still a great place to do business.

Although public consultation on the Article 23 legislation draws to a close today, it is clear in official statements here and in Beijing that the proposed legislation has not been a major focus of Xia's public events in Hong Kong.

The number of times the proposed legislation has been mentioned publicly is much lower than remarks about the need to maintain Hong Kong as an international aviation hub, a world financial center and a unique Chinese city where investment is protected by common law.

Although pro-Beijing activist Chan Ching-sum was brave enough to stage a solo petition and read aloud for almost 10 minutes an open letter urging Xia to clarify "soft resistance" and the bottom line in respect of national security, she can rest assured that the script details for the Article 23 legislation are already decided.

It is no secret that the city has been performing worse than expected economically since the pandemic - an observation backed by disappointing data from the financial and property markets to the export and local consumer sectors.

To understand the mainland's dictionary, an entry can often embody two sides of a meaning. The more positively an issue is stressed, the greater concern someone may have about it.

That the Article 23 legislation has been mentioned a minimal number of times during the period may show the issue has ceased to be a concern for Beijing because - in its perspective - the answer to its security concern has already been found.

Rather, as big shots from the SAR's business community were invited to see Xia and allowed to quote him as assuring them about continuing to invest and do business in Hong Kong, the economy has undoubtedly emerged as the biggest concern behind Xia's visit.

In a sense, as Xia reportedly showered praise and support for the administration and its achievements, the administration was also reminded to do better to improve the city's economy and safeguard its important status as an international center.

Understandably, it is due to the city's role as an international center that it can be expected to continue to make a valuable contribution to the nation.

This is probably one of the ways to read Xia's second visit to Hong Kong in under a year - the last time he came here was last April when he officiated during National Security Education Day.

If national security was a major concern at that time, it is now probably considered mostly resolved.

As the security question has been answered, it is apparent that government officials here are expected to answer the next question - and that is about the economy.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po will reveal his budget today. Will the apricot-color book provide answers to many of the challenges facing the city?

I look forward to it with great expectation.