Top Beijing official for HK gets down to business

Beijing's top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, began his six-day fact-finding visit yesterday with a call at the nation's foreign ministry office and lunch with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Then he met principal officials and Executive Council members.

Lee, speaking to reporters after a day of meetings and visits with the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said the duration of Xia's trip reflected the importance that the central government has assigned to the city.

"Director Xia's visit holds special importance," Lee said. He noted the importance of one country, two systems and Hong Kong's advancement "from stability to prosperity" as detailed in the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party report.

"Director Xia took the meetings very seriously and listened to everyone's suggestions and had in-depth and enthusiastic communication, which shows his familiarity and understanding of Hong Kong," Lee said.

Asked whether Xia will visit district residents or discuss Article 23 legislation, Lee said he was not going to talk about the discussions Xia had throughout the day as it was only the first day of the trip.

Xia, accompanied by his deputy Wang Linggui, was greeted by officials led by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and deputy Liaison Office director Chen Dong as he stepped out of the VIP passage at Hong Kong International Airport at 11.20am.

He greeted the media, saying "Hello, everyone," but did not take questions before boarding the coach to the foreign ministry office.

Xia was expected to stay in one of two five-stars hotels connected to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai - Grand Hyatt or Renaissance Hong Kong Harbor View Hotel. He is attending the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day at the HKCEC tomorrow.

State leaders including President Xi Jinping have stayed in these hotels before.

Xia arrived at the Central Government Offices in Admiralty from the Chief Executive's office for two 90-minute meetings with government officials and the Executive Council.

Several nonofficial Exco members were present, including convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Martin Liao Cheung-kong, Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Gary Chan Hak-kan and Eliza Chan Ching-har.

Exco members said they exchanged views on national security with Xia and quoted him as saying he will give his "genuine opinion" and that he has a packed schedule ahead.

It is understood that Xia also told them it is of utmost importance to safeguard national security and that Hong Kong should heighten alertness against intervention from foreign forces.

He said Western countries including the United States and the United Kingdom are a bad influence and only the motherland has good intensions for Hong Kong.

It is said Xia will also visit financial institutions, innovation and technology facilities, and housing and infrastructure projects as well as residents and schools over the next five days.

Sources said Xia has been invited to a movie screening at government headquarters about the 2019 protests hosted by Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung and Chief Secretary Chan. Seminars on national security challenges, financial security and cyber security and the rule of law will follow the ceremony at HKCEC tomorrow.

Lawmaker and Basic Law Committee member Priscilla Leung Mei-fun told journalists she expects Xia to focus on people's livelihoods, the economy and future development.

"I believe he will participate in in-depth discussions in order to feel the pulse of Hong Kong," she said.

Legislators have been told to free their schedules this evening and on Sunday to meet Xia.

cjames.lee@singtaonewscorp.com