Deputies seek measures to benefit HK as two sessions open

Hong Kong deputies of the National People's Congress will ask Beijing for more measures that benefit Hong Kong during the "two sessions" that open today.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference's annual plenary meeting will begin at 3pm at the Great Hall of the People and will last until Sunday, while the NPC meeting schedule will be announced today.

Hong Kong deputies departed for Beijing yesterday while Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu heads to the capital for the opening of the second annual session of the 14th National People's Congress tomorrow.

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director Xia Baolong visited the two SARs' deputies at their hotel last night, sources said. A preparatory meeting was held last night to select the head and spokesman for the Hong Kong delegation who then attended a meeting at the Great Hall of the People to discuss schedules, according to NPC deputy Ma Fung-kwok.

Starry Lee Wai-king, Hong Kong's single deputy to the NPC Standing Committee, said she has proposed raising the duty-free allowance for mainland visitors returning home to 30,000 yuan (HK$33,046) so they can buy more in Hong Kong.

"I've gained support from some of the deputies on the proposal to increase the allowance from 5,000 yuan and I hope more delegates will support us during the two sessions," she said. "We hope to seek support from as many deputies as possible on the most important proposals to push the development in Hong Kong."

Lee also said deputies will review the central government's reports during the meeting.

"Besides the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate and the NPCSC's work report we will also review the economic and social development situation in 2023 and a development draft report for 2024," she said.

Another NPC deputy, Stanley Ng Chau-pei, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said his party has put together over 20 suggestions.

"The proposals involve the integration of the Greater Bay Area, enhancing the convenience of cross-border travel and logistics as well as the overall development of the mainland," he said.

Ng appealed to mainland authorities to allow people from more cities to apply for multiple-entry permits to visit Hong Kong. He also hoped the duty-free allowance for mainland visitors can be increased to 50,000 yuan with a maximum limit of 200,000 yuan a year.

Ronick Chan Chun-ying from the banking sector said there should be a unified online payment platform to benefit cross-border travelers.

"I hope the mainland and Hong Kong can establish a payment platform, allowing people to use the unified platform with the Hong Kong dollar, the Macau pataca or the renminbi so they don't have to exchange currencies in advance before crossing the border," he said.

Deputies also said they have faith in the central government's personnel arrangement after Hong Kong affairs veteran Zhang Xiaoming was removed from his role as the CPPCC's deputy secretary general. Zhang had been working on Hong Kong and Macau affairs since 1986 and served as director of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.

He left the HKMAO in 2022 when he was appointed deputy secretary general of the CPPCC.

"I believe such change must have been carried out after comprehensive consideration and has a practical effect on our future work," Lee said.

Priscilla Leung Mei-fun recognized Zhang's contributions to Hong Kong affairs in the past and believes in Beijing's decision to remove him.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com