Exclusive | Head of Beijing office overseeing Hong Kong affairs to visit city on fact-finding mission, gather feedback on Article 23 bill, health of economy
- Xia Baolong, who leads revamped Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, to arrive on Thursday for six-day visit, sources say
- Xia plans to meet city leader John Lee, top officials, business sector representatives and young people to gather feedback on number of issues, they add
Multiple insiders confirmed the six-day visit by Xia Baolong, who heads the revamped Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), with one saying he also planned to gather feedback on a number of issues from a range of officials and residents on the ground.
“That includes how the economic recovery is going and what events the Hong Kong government is planning,” one source said. “He could be interested in the budget blueprint too.”
The insider added that the domestic national security legislation based on Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, was also on the agenda as Xia “was ready” to assess the latest situation and concerns in society.
The government intends to pass the legislation, which will sit alongside the Beijing-imposed national security law, before the end of the year.
Xia’s trip to Hong Kong will be the second one of its kind since Beijing announced the overhaul of the HKMAO that made it directly answerable to the Communist Party’s Central Committee instead of the State Council.
Speaking to the Post on the condition of anonymity, a Hong Kong official said planning was under way for a series of meetings between Xia and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, principal officials, members of the government’s key decision-making Executive Council, lawmakers, representatives from the business sector and young people.
“From our communication with the HKMAO, Xia is keen on meeting people extensively to grasp Hong Kong’s latest situation on the ground,” the source said, adding the exact itinerary would be confirmed within days.
