This March 12, 2021 file photo shows the exterior of the headquarters of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Hong Kong legislators hailed the visit of Xia Baolong, director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, to the Legislative Council as a milestone event following the city’s return to order after a period of political chaos.

They added that the visit reflects the importance the central government attaches to the legislature’s work and the city’s development.

On Sunday, the fourth day of his six-day inspection tour in Hong Kong, Xia visited the city’s Legislative Council for the first time, where he met and had lunch with more than 80 lawmakers.

Five lawmakers introduced Xia to the latest situation in Hong Kong and exchanged views with him on various topics. Xia also spoke highly of the seventh Legislative Council’s work and encouraged members to keep serving the public’s interests, according to Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, president of LegCo.

President of LegCo Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen said without the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the electoral reform under the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, there would have been no such opportunity for an arrangement to enable central government officials to communicate with lawmakers

Leung told the media after meeting with Xia that, without the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the electoral reform under the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, there would have been no such opportunity for an arrangement to enable central government officials to communicate with lawmakers.

Leung said LegCo had witnessed some of the city’s darkest moments in the recent past, but added that the SAR is now back on the right tracks. Lawmakers will work together for the residents of Hong Kong and will fulfill their obligations under the Basic Law, he said.

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the SAR’s largest political party, said that the relationship between the administration and the legislature in Hong Kong had improved a lot. She said she hopes there will be more new ways in the future to strengthen the administration-legislature cooperation, thus achieving the city’s good governance.

READ MORE: Xia: National security serves as foundation for all

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, chairperson of the New People’s Party, said that due to the previous obstructions caused opposition lawmakers, it used to be quite difficult for central government officials to visit the legislature and communicate with lawmakers. Since the city’s electoral system has now been improved, Ip hopes Hong Kong will be able to demonstrate its high-quality democracy to the world.

This screencap taken from a video from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government shows Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xia Baolong, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Zheng Yanxiong and Hong Kong legislators at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, April 17, 2023.

Lawmaker Martin Liao Cheung-kong pointed out there are now 12 Hong Kong deputies to the National People’s Congress and 12 members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in LegCo. Liao said he hopes the deputies and members can use their resources well to help Hong Kong integrate into the national development and play a constructive role in national rejuvenation. 

Kingsley Wong Kwok, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the city’s largest labor group, said that he felt honored to have been able reflect the voices and demands of local workers to Xia, and that he had expressed his views on issues such as housing and employment.

On Saturday, Xia delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day, stressing that national security is the cornerstone of the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s lasting stability and prosperity.

The DAB said it fully endorses Xia’s remarks. Hong Kong must keep pace with the country and do its utmost to protect national security to create a brighter future, the party said.

ALSO READ: HKMAO chief highly affirms SAR govt’s work during visit

The Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong called on the community to actively learn and better understand the importance of national security in maintaining Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.

It pledged to fully support the work of the central government and the SAR government in safeguarding national security and defending the city’s rule of law to build a safe and thriving environment.

The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, a major business group in the city, said it would continue to explain the city’s current investment and business environment to investors worldwide, helping them to understand that the city has been revitalized under the protection of the NSL.