Coronavirus: Beijing backs Hong Kong leader’s changes to travel rules, says opening up to nation and rest of world can happen at same time
- Huang Liuquan, deputy director of State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, recognises recent change as improvements
- Analysts say endorsement signals Beijing is giving Hong Kong leader leeway to chart his own course in tackling infections
Beijing has delivered its strongest public endorsement yet of Hong Kong’s relaxed Covid-19 pandemic curbs, as a senior official in charge of the city’s affairs recognised the changes as improvements and accepted that opening up to mainland China can be performed, along with restoring links with the rest of the world.
The endorsement on Tuesday signalled the central government’s expected city leader, John Lee Ka-chiu, would maintain the financial hub’s global connectivity and give his administration leeway to chart its own course in tackling infections, separate from the nation’s “dynamic-zero” Covid strategy, analysts told the Post.
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Beijing gives its blessing to Hong Kong to reopen its borders to the world
Huang Liuquan, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), expressed the central government’s backing for Lee’s recent changes to travel curbs, including a reduction in the number of days arrivals must spend in hotel quarantine, a rule blamed by business leaders for keeping tourists away.
“I notice that the new administration has reiterated there is no contradiction between opening up to the world and the mainland,” he said.
“The city government has adjusted and improved its anti-epidemic measures based on the actual circumstances. I think these adjustments are understandable and there is no need for overinterpretation.”
Huang’s remarks, made at a rare press conference held by the HKMAO, came amid a wider review of its policies for the two special administrative regions ahead of the Communist Party’s 20th congress, which is due to be held in the capital next month and followed Lee’s pledge earlier in the day to create “maximum room” for Hong Kong to reconnect with the world.