Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu meets the media after Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, concluded his visit to Hong Kong on April 18, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the six-day inspection tour of Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, fully reflects the importance the central government attaches to Hong Kong's development. 

Lee, who briefed media outlets on Tuesday afternoon after Xia had visited a local primary school – his last stop on his six-day tour – said the central government official, on several occasions during the visit, expressed his confidence in the city's long-term prosperity and approval of the SAR government's work.

Xia is convinced that those who share Hong Kong as their home will contribute to maintaining the city’s harmony and stability, and that Hong Kong's youngsters will honor their duties to the city and to the country, Lee said

Xia also said he was confident that the SAR government and every sector of the Hong Kong community can work together to develop the economy, uphold the rule of law and safeguard national security, while maintaining the city's status as a favored place for global investors to pursue opportunities and seek their fortune.

Xia is convinced that those who share Hong Kong as their home will contribute to maintaining the city’s harmony and stability, and that Hong Kong's youngsters will honor their duties to the city and to the country, Lee said. He also called on the city not to forget the harm caused to society by the 2019 social unrest. 

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Xia’s message was clear: Hong Kong is still facing hidden risks, and many activities could be held hostage to create chaos even though society has mostly returned to stability, Lee added.

Lee said the government in future will concentrate on firmly safeguarding national security, while the city’s administrative, legislative and judiciary branches will do their utmost to stay vigilant and crack down on destructive forces. Lee also vowed to unite the community, with patriots working together to ensure the city’s stability and prosperity.

The government will strive to develop the economy, improve people’s livelihoods and actively seek integration into the nation’s development, Lee said.

He also expressed his resolve to break the bottleneck in the land supply, allowing Hong Kong residents to have better living and working conditions. The current administration will also implement the youth development blueprint it released earlier through education, training, career planning and cultivating the correct values in youngsters, he said.

READ MORE: Xia focuses on business, scientific development

Lee summarized Xia's six-day inspection in the city as "extensive and intensive". Xia met a wide range of officials, politicians, members of the judiciary, community leaders and representatives from the business, legal, financial, scientific and education sectors, Lee said.

Xia also visited district medical and elderly care facilities, the Science Park, and local universities and schools, and presented flowers at the Cenotaph in the Wu Kau Tang Martyrs Memorial Garden, Lee added.