Beijing vows to ‘prevent and curb’ external forces from meddling with Hong Kong and Macau affairs as Communist Party proposals unveiled
- Central government will also support Hong Kong and Macau in reinforcing their competitive advantages
- But Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre is not mentioned in the document
Beijing has pledged to resolutely “prevent and curb” external forces from meddling with Hong Kong and Macau affairs, as it seeks to strengthen a sense of national identity and patriotism in the two cities over the next five years.
Under proposals unveiled by the Communist Party on Tuesday, the central government would also support Hong Kong and Macau in reinforcing their competitive advantages, and becoming a global technology hub.
But Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre was not mentioned in the document, while analysts also noted that Beijing had placed more emphasis on its authority by underlining the threat of foreign interference after the city was roiled by social unrest last year.
The pledges were made as the party revealed its recommendations for the Chinese government’s drafting of its 14th five-year plan for 2021-25, as well as its vision and goals to be achieved by 2035.
