Update | Smaller side seat for Leung Chun-ying sparks debate on Hong Kong Chief Executive’s footing with Xi Jinping
President Xi issues assurance on ‘one country, two systems’ in meeting with chief executive as landmark seating switch raises questions
President Xi Jinping (習近平) pledged to uphold the “one country, two systems” principle while acknowledging recent controversies over the unique formula for governing Hong Kong as he met the city’s leader in Beijing yesterday – but an unprecedented seating change made it clearer than ever that one country comes before two systems.
During his talk with Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who was on a duty visit to the capital, Xi noted “new circumstances” had arisen regarding one country, two systems, both in Hong Kong and in the international community.
Xi promised the central government would be steadfast and unshaken in its commitment to the policy and “make sure its implementation does not get distorted”.
READ MORE: Xi shows who’s boss: Hong Kong’s Leung Chun-ying knocked off his perch to smaller seat
But Beijing’s usual assurances took a back seat to a highly significant new arrangement that was unveiled at the photo calls when Leung met the nation’s leaders – something that was not lost on China-watchers keenly following the meetings in the capital.
In their separate talks with Leung, Xi and Premier Li Keqiang (李克強) were seated at the head of a long conference table, with Leung placed at one side next to Wang Guangya (王光亞), director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO).
The new arrangement stood in stark contrast to previous protocol under which the chief executive would always sit side by side with state leaders, giving the impression of equal footing.
Leung himself later acknowledged the significance of the changed seating arrangement, saying it “reflects the constitutional position of Hong Kong and the central authorities”. The HKMAO declared it would make such duty visits “more regulated and solemn”.