A senior central government official on Monday encouraged business communities in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to remain resilient, united, and steadfast in safeguarding national interests “when they are threatened”.
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks during a meeting with 21 business leaders based in Macao and the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
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“In the face of sanctions and suppression, display courage and integrity,” Xia said. He urged the entrepreneurs and industrialists to align their personal and business goals with the prosperity of the nation and the SARs.
Xia characterized such actions as a continuation of “the long-standing patriotic tradition” upheld by Hong Kong and Macao business leaders, who have consistently stood by the motherland through ups and downs.
“The fate of Hong Kong and Macao has always been closely tied to that of the mainland, and the future of individuals and enterprises is inseparable from the destiny of the country and nation,” Xia said.
He noted that by contributing to national development, local businesspeople have simultaneously advanced domestic prosperity and achieved their own financial success.
Looking ahead, Xia encouraged businesspeople to leverage their regional strengths for sustainable growth. He specifically highlighted the importance and urgency of diversifying Macao’s economy and accelerating the development of Hengqin.
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The SARs’ international connectivity was highlighted as a significant advantage. He called on businesses to expand openness, strengthen ties with established markets, explore emerging economies, and actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. He also urged efforts to attract international talent to Hong Kong and Macao.
These global connections, according to Xia, can help share the successes of the “one country, two systems” principle with the world. He encouraged business leaders to invite their foreign partners to experience firsthand the vitality of Hong Kong and Macao, thus boosting international confidence in the cities’ future.
Xia reaffirmed China’s commitment to openness, urging foreign investors to seize opportunities in the development of the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao.
In response, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who is in Qatar for an outreach visit, said that he will lead the SAR government’s and the business community’s efforts to implement the central government’s directives with a stronger sense of political responsibility and greater commitment.
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He added that, “We must build social consensus and respond to the severe geopolitical dynamics from a strategic vantage point. Together, we will safeguard the steady and long-term implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, ensuring that Hong Kong demonstrates resilience and strength on the international stage.”
Separately, Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai said his administration will unite and lead all sectors of Macao society to fulfill the central authorities’ expectations with a strong sense of responsibility.
He added that the SAR government and Macao’s business community are committed to making greater contributions to national development through concrete actions and practical initiatives, thereby supporting the long-term prosperity and stability of the Macao SAR.
Following the meeting — part of Xia’s inspection tour of Macao — local business leaders pledged to take a united stance against global trade tensions and ongoing economic uncertainties.
Zhang Haoren, founder and CEO of Hengqin-based biotech startup TrueHealth, said Xia’s remarks reinforced her company’s commitment to achieving technological independence.
Highlighting recent breakthroughs in surgical robotics, Zhang stressed the importance of strengthening intellectual property protection amid global competition. She pledged continued research and development investment to support China’s self-sufficiency in high-end medical equipment and to position Hengqin as a global life sciences hub.
“We must steadfastly uphold the tradition of loving our country and Macao, standing firmly with our motherland,” Zhang said.
Fu Jianguo, president of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Macao, said the meeting reminded Macao’s business and industrial sectors to carry forward the spirit of resilience during difficult times, view current geopolitical tensions from a broader perspective, and have confidence in the country’s long-term development plans.
He added that local companies should leverage their advantages to tell the positive stories of the nation and Macao.
Jia Tianbing, chairman of the Macau Association of Banks, said: “The meeting sent a strong message: boosting the economy and seeking new growth opportunities.”
The meeting coincided with China and the United States agreeing to ease trade tensions, with the US reducing or suspending much of the additional tariffs on Chinese imports, including those from the Hong Kong and Macao SARs.
Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com
