Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, waves as he visits the Central Government Offices in Admiralty, Hong Kong, on Feb 26, 2024. Accompanying him is Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (second right) and Zheng Yanxiong (third right), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Xia Baolong, the nation’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs, said he attached great importance to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center, and called on the financial sector to tell good Hong Kong stories based on facts from their experience. 

On the fifth day of his weeklong inspection tour to Hong Kong, Xia — director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council — had a three-hour meeting at government headquarters with representatives from the financial industry, financial regulatory bodies, and mainland and foreign firms based in Hong Kong, to gain a better understanding of the development of the city’s financial sector.

ALSO READ: Xia: Community living rooms answer residents' pressing needs

After the meeting with Xia, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, told the media that Xia reiterated his emphasis on Hong Kong’s position as an international financial center while expressing hopes for the sector to enhance mutual access between the financial markets of Hong Kong and the mainland, and expand the offshore RMB market. 

Xia also acknowledged Hong Kong’s contribution to the nation and encouraged the financial sector to tell a wide variety of “good Hong Kong stories” based on facts. 

It was reported that after the meeting Xia Baolong would meet with representatives of foreign chambers of commerce to exchange views

Hui noted that Xia expressed his desire to listen to the industry’s opinions on its future development, and the meeting provided ample opportunity for representatives to express their views. 

READ MORE: Xia's pat on the back for Hong Kong's district councils

Hui said he personally reported about Hong Kong’s stock and securities markets, particularly the connectivity with the mainland, and also exchanged views on the latest developments in green finance and financial technology in the city.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, waves as he visits the Central Government Offices in Admiralty, Hong Kong, on Feb 26, 2024. Accompanying him is Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (right) and Zheng Yanxiong (center back), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hui noted that the sector had reached a consensus that the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law would have a positive effect on the city’s markets.

Jeanne Lee Sai-yin, chief executive officer at Sino Grade Securities, who also attended the meeting, said that the atmosphere was good and representatives of the financial industry outlined the situation of the industry to Xia.

ALSO READ: 'Xia upbeat, accommodative to Hong Kong's proposals'

It was reported that after the meeting Xia would meet with representatives of foreign chambers of commerce to exchange views.

Xia Baolong (center), director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, speaks with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (right) during a visit to the Central Government Offices in Admiralty, Hong Kong, on Feb 26, 2024. Accompanying them is Zheng Yanxiong (center back), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Xia began the seven-day inspection tour to Hong Kong on Thursday, the second such fact-finding visit in one year, and will conclude his visit on Wednesday. He has met with government officials, lawmakers, and district councilors as well as grassroots members of the community so far.