Key HK affairs official during 2019 unrest gives up CPPCC post

Zhang Xiaoming, one of the key Beijing officials managing Hong Kong and Macau affairs before the 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong, has resigned from his position in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The announcement came as the 14th CPPCC Standing Committee wrapped up its seventh meeting yesterday in Beijing.

"The committee has passed comrade Zhang Xiaoming's resignation from his position as the 14th CPPCC Standing Committee member," the statement read.

The central government and Hong Kong political heavyweights all stayed mum about Zhang's case.

The announcement was made three months after Zhang was removed from his position as CPPCC deputy secretary-general, though he remained a Standing Committee member.

Zhang, 60, was born in Jiangsu, and graduated with a master's degree from Renmin University of China Law School in 1984. He joined the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office upon graduation.

He was later promoted to director of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong in late 2012 to become one of the core Beijing officials in charge of Hong Kong and Macau affairs.

Zhang took a high-profile approach and denied that Hong Kong is ruled by Sai Wan, where the liaison office is situated, on his first day as its director.

In September 2015, he stirred controversy in Hong Kong after claiming that the chief executive had a "special legal position which overrides administrative, legislative and judicial organs" and that separation of powers is "not suitable for Hong Kong."

Then chief executive Leung Chun-ying subsequently affirmed that his position is "transcendent" of the branches of the SAR.

Zhang continued as the office's director until 2017, when he was promoted as the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, making him the number two Beijing official in charge of both SAR affairs under then-vice premier Zhang Dejiang.

But his political career took a downturn after the 2019 social unrest.

He was demoted in 2020 - following widespread anti-government protests and Covid outbreaks - to executive deputy director.

The demotion was widely seen by political observers as Zhang having to bear responsibility for the anti-fugitive bill saga.

He was later taken out of the Hong Kong loop in 2022 after being in it for 36 years.

He was transferred to the nation's political advisory body, the CPPCC, as deputy secretary-general.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com