More benefits on way for HK as Xia wraps up inspection visit

Ayra Wang

Beijing will introduce policies that benefit Hong Kong's development in "a new stage," Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said as director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong left the SAR after his week-long inspection visit.

On his last day, Xia visited the liaison office in Sai Ying Pun at 10am and headed to the Shenzhen Bay Port at around 1.40pm for a 20-minute inspection.

He was accompanied by Lee, Liaison Office of China in Hong Kong director Zheng Yanxiong and Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip.

Xia then boarded a coach as he bid Lee and other officials farewell and traveled to Shenzhen via the port.

Lee said Xia's visit has conveyed Beijing's care for Hong Kong and its ardent expectations for the city's economic development and district governance.

"This also releases a message that the central government will continue to introduce policies that benefit Hong Kong," Lee said.

During his week-long visit, Xia met with government officials, senior police management, representatives from business and financial sectors, regulators, legislators and district councillors.

He also communicated with youth representatives, learned about the living conditions of subdivided flat tenants in a community living room in Sham Shui Po, visited the West Kowloon Cultural District and Hong Kong International Airport, as well as walked around Lion Rock Park.

Lee said Xia appreciated the ideas and measures proposed by the SAR government and hoped they could be implemented well.

Xia encouraged district councils and patriotic organizations to bridge the communication between citizens and the government, Lee said.

Xia repeatedly emphasized the importance of people's confidence in Hong Kong's future, saying its "development prospect is not something that anyone can bad-mouth."

Lee said Xia also stressed Beijing would "firmly support" the SAR government to protect the well-being of residents, safety of investment and assets, as well as freedoms of speech, press and demonstration enshrined by law.

"Xia said the central government will fully and practically support Hong Kong in developing its economy, improving people's livelihood and consolidating its status as an international financial hub," Lee said.

Beijing announced last Friday that residents in Xi'an and Qingdao will be allowed to visit Hong Kong starting March 6 under the individual visit scheme.

Lee said Cathay Pacific will increase the flight capacity traveling between Hong Kong and the two mainland cities as two extra weekly return flights will be launched to and from Xi'an from March 31, providing 800 more seats per week.

The airline will also use wide-body aircraft for all existing flights to and from Qingdao - an increase of 11 percent to 360 seats weekly.

Lee said the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Airport Authority will discuss with other airlines to increase flights to cope with a possible surge in travel demand from the two cities.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com