He praised the work of the new councillors and defended a revamp of the municipal bodies which had drastically slashed the number of directly elected seats.

“I hope everyone will keep in mind their oath, take actual actions to demonstrate their love for Hong Kong and the country, and play their role as a bridge between the city government and the people,” Xia said, according to a statement by his office.

He also urged the councillors to fully support the local administration, and to safeguard the “one country, two systems” governing principle and the city’s stability, prosperity and development.

Xia’s second fact-finding mission in less than a year has identified district-level administration and economic development as key focuses, after local authorities revamped the municipal bodies to follow Beijing’s “patriots-only” policy direction.

Only 88 out of 470 district council seats were returned by popular vote in the first overhauled election on December 10. The poll saw a record-low turnout of 27.59 per cent. The new batch of district councillors took office in January.

Sai Kung district councillor Christine Fong Kwok-shan said the discussions with Xia had touched on plans by authorities to introduce a home-grown national security law, and he had assured attendees that central authorities would adhere to the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.

Top Beijing official urges business leaders, tycoons to keep faith with Hong Kong

Earlier in the day, Xia joined Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen for breakfast at a restaurant in a shopping centre in Tseung Kwan O.

He was briefed on the work of community care teams – an initiative introduced as part of Lee’s election pledges to form a government-sponsored network of volunteers – during the meal.

They were also joined by members of local committees and community organisations.

Mak said the HKMAO director had recognised the care teams’ efforts and praised the initiative for its positive role in district-level work and improving public service.

Access to the restaurant was restricted during Xia’s visit, but some patrons were seen settling their bills and leaving after the Beijing official left. One of the diners, an elderly man surnamed Keung, said he had seen Xia and Lee while eating there.

“He greeted us and said ‘Happy New Year’ to us,” Keung said. He also described Xia as affable, but did not manage to talk to or take any photos with the officials.

Beijing’s top official on Hong Kong on mission to plan ‘new stage of development’

Other patrons during the session were unwilling to stop for an interview and forced their way through the crowd of reporters.

A sizeable police presence was also observed at the shopping centre, which remained open to the public.

Xia headed to Sai Kung to join Lee and Mak for a seafood lunch with home affairs officials and the chairs of the city’s 18 district councils.

He later visited Lion Rock Park in Wong Tai Sin, taking photos with Lee and liaison office chief Zheng Yanxiong with the famed peak in the background.

The Post learned that Xia was set to visit a community living room initiative for subdivided flat households in Sham Shui Po on Sunday. He would then meet the Bar Association and Law Society and was expected to gauge their views on the proposed domestic national security law.

He would also meet media representatives and commentators.

Sources also said the Beijing official would meet representatives of the city’s foreign chambers of commerce on Monday.

He met about 20 tycoons and business leaders on Friday evening, urging them to keep faith with the city, which enjoyed Beijing’s unwavering support.