Xia Baolong starts work at centralized agency for SARs

Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office head Xia Baolong - now serving as director of the newly created Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee - presided over the new office's first meeting yesterday.

Xia's former office was upgraded as an agency directly under the CCP, from previously being under the State Council. Although the old office was not retained, its official name - Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office - on the signboard was reserved.

Former Henan province official Zhou Ji has been appointed executive deputy director of the office, while Hong Kong Liaison Office head Zheng Yanxiong and Macau Liaison Office head Zheng Xincong are deputy directors.

Two other deputy directors, Yang Wanming and Wang Linggui, as well as Shi Kehui from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, also attended the meeting.

The central government released a plan in March following the Two Sessions to reform party and state institutions.

The new office 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, as well as conduct research in areas that would help Hong Kong integrate into national development.

Sources said the reform means the two liaison offices in Hong Kong and Macau will be under the new Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, underscoring its leading role in the SARs.

Previously, the HKMAO and the liaison offices were on the same level, sources said.

It is understood that the central government wished to clear the relations between the HKMAO and the liaison office and avoid overlap of their duties.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant for the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, has also 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 exercise its overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong ... to establish and implement policies."

He also 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.