HK affairs get Xia's undivided attention during six-day visit

James Lee

The head of Beijing's top office overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs, Xia Baolong, will start a six-day visit tomorrow - his first to the city after the office was upgraded to be placed directly under the Communist Party.

Xia accompanied President Xi Jinping to visit Hong Kong in July last year for the handover and the inauguration of John Lee Ka-chiu as chief executive.

The coming trip will be his longest. He is expected to visit financial institutions and learn more about the city's plans in developing innovation and technology.

According to pro-Beijing politician Brave Chan Yung, Xia will also visit light public housing projects as well as the New Territories, where the Northern Metropolis will be situated.

Xia is expected to meet with students to discuss national security and to attend meetings with executive councillors and lawmakers.

According to a government statement, Xia will attend the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day at the grand hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. He will also attend seminars on national security challenges, financial and cyber security and the rule of law.

Lee said he is extending his "warmest welcome and gratitude" on behalf of Hong Kong for Xia's visit.

"The government will make all necessary arrangements ... to ensure a smooth visit."

After meeting with Xia during the annual National People's Congress sessions in Beijing last month, Lee quoted the Beijing official as saying that national security risks still exist and that the administration should take risk-management measures.

The visit comes a month after the party's Central Committee released a plan to place the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office directly under the CPC. The office will be renamed Hong Kong and Macau Work Office of the CPC Central Committee.

The last Hong Kong visit by a HKMAO director was conducted by Wang Guangya in June 2011. Wang's three-day trip was followed by another three days in Macau. Xia does not have a Macau visit planned.

The government statement from 2011 also clarified that Wang was invited to Hong Kong by the chief executive at the time, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. Yesterday's statement did not mention an invitation from the government.

The 2011 statement also included Wang's itinerary. But Xia's exact itinerary remains undisclosed, said Tam Yiu-chung, vice chairman of pro-Beijing think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies.

He said it has not been confirmed whether Xia will make any public remarks.

"It wouldn't be surprising even if he does [deliver a speech], given that he has spoken about safeguarding national security on multiple occasions," Tam said.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant for the same think tank, said Xia's visit will "strengthen Hongkongers' national security awareness, which is especially significant" given that the government aims to enact security legislation Article 23 of the Basic Law.

cjames.lee@singtaonewscorp.com

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