Affairs office elevated amid reform in party, state institutions

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office has been upgraded to be directly under the Chinese Communist Party, instead of an institution under the State Council, and will officially take on a supervisory role over the liaison offices in the two SARs.

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have released a plan on reforming party and state institutions, four days after the two sessions ended in Beijing this week.

The plan released yesterday covers the Hong Kong and Macau system, in which the current Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council will be replaced by a new institution called Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee.

The new office will be established along the lines of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, but will be directly under the party's top leadership - the CPC Central Committee.

Although the old office will not be retained, its official name in the sign board will be reserved.

The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee will be responsible for implementing one country, two systems and exercise the central authorities' jurisdiction over the two SARs.

It will govern in accordance with the law, safeguard national security, and protect people's livelihood and well-being.

The office will conduct surveys and research in areas that would integrate into the national development.

It will also coordinate and supervise the duties of the officers.

Following the announcement, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said it will firmly uphold and implement the reform plan.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Hong Kong "resolutely upholds and supports" the plan on reforming party and state institutions.

"The central government has always been doing something good for Hong Kong and Hong Kong citizens," Lee said.

He will lead the government to maintain effective communication with the new office and perform his duties, so the central government can ensure principles of one country, two systems and "the people of Hong Kong administering Hong Kong." Lee said the reform demonstrates that the central government wants to "fully, accurately and unswervingly implement one country, two systems and "to lay a more solid foundation."

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant for the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the new office has a higher status than the Central Leading Group and the Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, which are under the Central Committee.

Lau said the reform is "a significant strategic plan for the CPC Central Committee to unite and centralize the leadership on the country and the two SARs."

"It will help the central government to exercise its overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong in future... to establish and implement policies, measures."

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com