Xia Baolong (center), director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, waves before his visit to the District Health Centre in the nearby neighborhood of Sham Shui Po, on April 14, 2023. Accompanying him was Chief Exceutive John Lee Ka-chiu (center back). (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, on Friday called on Hong Kong to cherish the hardwon situation in which the city’s governing power is firmly retained in the hands of patriots, and said the city must be on guard against the infiltration of external forces.
Xia was quoted as making the remarks at a meeting with representatives from various sectors at the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
During the meeting, Xia said Hong Kong should strengthen its awareness of national security threats and called upon Hong Kong’s patriots to render full support for the law-based governance of the Hong Kong SAR government.
Xia’s visit was well-received by Hong Kong residents, who praised Xia as “gracious, kind and humorous” and said his visit demonstrated the central government’s care and concern for the city
Stanley Ng Chau-pei, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress who attended the meeting with Xia, said that for Hong Kong to fulfill its duty on national security in accordance with the law, the city should complete its local legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law as soon as possible.
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Starry Lee Wai-king, a member of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, said Xia called on all patriots to support the Hong Kong SAR government’s law-based governance as the city is making strides toward prosperity after regaining its orders. She said Xia also hopes that different leaders will think about their respective roles and take actions to make contributions to the development of the city and the entire nation.
Henry Tang Ying-yen, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said Xia called on patriots to unite unwaveringly to help the SAR government govern more efficiently.
On the second day of his six-day visit to Hong Kong, Xia visited at least seven places on the city’s Kowloon Peninsula and in the heart of Hong Kong Island.
Xia began the day at a dim sum restaurant in Kowloon Bay, where he sampled some of the local cuisine. He then visited the District Health Centre in the nearby neighborhood of Sham Shui Po, and the Shamshuipo District Elderly Community Centre — which provides counseling and integrated home care services for older adults — where he talked with employees and caretakers, and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
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In the afternoon, Xia, in the company of Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, visited Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal, where he was received by Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok. He also visited Justice Place, where thecity’s Department of Justice is, and met with representatives from the legal sector.
Xia then paid a visit to the Liaison Office and met with a group of social dignitaries and heavyweights from various sectors.
Lo Man-tuen, vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and one of those who met with Xia at the Liaison Office, said Xia’s visit, which came after a central-government-initiated reform of State institutions related to Hong Kong and Macao, aims at taking an accurate pulse of Hong Kong’s actual situation.
Describing Xia as “pragmatic and down-to-earth”, Lo said he expects Xia to report what he heard and saw in Hong Kong, and that more support will be given to Hong Kong to help the city handle its people’s livelihood issues in areas such as housing and young people’s employment.
Xia’s visit was also well-received by Hong Kong residents, who praised Xia as “gracious, kind and humorous” and said his visit demonstrated the central government’s care and concern for the city.
ALSO READ:Xia meets community members, visits elderly center
Wong Siu-mui, 86, one of the volunteers at the Neighborhood Advice-Action Council — the NGO that runs the elderly community center Xia visited on Friday — briefly shared her feelings about her work with Xia.
Wong, who has worked for eight years in the community, said Xia listened to her attentively. Calling Xia “gracious, kind and humorous”, Wong said Xia spoke highly of her work and encouraged her to keep up her efforts.
Thanking the central government for its care and support for Hong Kong and its residents, Wong said Xia made her feel her work was meaningful.
Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and Wang Linggui, deputy director of the State Council HKMAO, accompanied Xia during his inspection tour.
Xia arrived in the city on Thursday and was greeted by high-ranking officials at the airport. On Thursday, he heard work reports from and exchanged views with John Lee and other top Hong Kong officials. He also had talks with other non-official executive councilors.
Xia will attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong National Security Education Day activities, organized by the SAR government, on Saturday. He is also expected to visit local schools, grassroots families, and technology, arts and cultural landmarks, and to meet with representatives of various sectors.
Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, the city’s secretary for the civil service, said Xia’s attendance reflects that the central government attaches great importance to promoting national security education in Hong Kong.
Mike Gu contributed to the story.
