Xia Baolong promises more ‘preferential policies’ for Hong Kong, as John Lee says Cathay Pacific boosting capacity for expanded travel scheme

City leader Lee says Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs also pledged support for protection of investments and freedoms enshrined in local laws
‘Director Xia reiterated that the central government will, as always, fully support Hong Kong in developing its economy and improving people’s livelihood,’ Lee adds

Hong Kong politics

Kahon Chan

Published: 6:33pm, 28 Feb 2024

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The top Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs has promised more preferential measures for the city, the chief executive has said, adding that local flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will boost capacity to prepare for the expansion of a national travel scheme.

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director Xia Baolong also pledged Beijing’s support for the protection of local investment and legally enshrined freedoms, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu told reporters after the agency head wrapped up his fact-finding mission on Wednesday.

“Director Xia reiterated that the central government will, as always, fully support Hong Kong in developing its economy and improving people’s livelihood,” he said.

“In fact, the day after director Xia arrived in Hong Kong, the central authorities announced the addition of Xian and Qingdao to the solo traveller scheme. Director Xia also indicated that more preferential policies for Hong Kong will come one after another.”

City leader John Lee says Cathay will increase flights to Xian and has opted for larger aircraft for routes to Qingdao in anticipation of a rise in travel demand. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Beijing earlier announced it would permit Xian and Qingdao residents from March 6 to travel to Hong Kong on solo trips, rather than just on group tours, under the Individual Visit Scheme.

Lee on Wednesday said Cathay Pacific planned to increase its capacity to cope with the anticipated surge in travel demand.

The airline would launch two extra weekly return flights between Hong Kong and Xian from March 31, raising the current frequency to five such flights each week and increasing seat capacity to about 800 for either direction, he said.

All existing daily flights between Hong Kong and Qingdao would now use widebody aircraft, boosting the weekly seat capacity by 11 per cent, or 360 seats, in both directions, Lee added.

According to Cathay’s website on Wednesday afternoon, the extra seats were already available for reservation.

The carrier said it looked forward to providing flight services for more customers from various cities on the mainland.

Hong Kong’s leader said authorities would also continue to speak with airlines about boosting flight capacity between the city and Xian and Qingdao.

Lee said Xia had made a show of support for the city’s efforts to boost its connectivity by kicking off his fact-finding mission at the local airport last Thursday and concluding with a tour of the Shenzhen Bay land-based checkpoint.

The visiting official also called for confidence in Hong Kong’s outlook as one of his key messages during the trip, citing the city’s advantages and Beijing’s commitment to safeguarding rights enshrined by law, Lee said.

“[Beijing] firmly supports the Hong Kong government in protecting the rights and freedoms of speech, press, publication, association, assembly, procession and demonstration in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that are applicable to [Hong Kong],” he said.

Lee also said Xia repeatedly stressed the need for stakeholders to have faith in Hong Kong’s development, “especially” in Monday’s meetings with representatives of local and foreign business chambers.

“Director Xia used facts and data to demonstrate Hong Kong’s robust core competitiveness, as well as its strength and ability to move towards a brighter tomorrow, pointing out that Hong Kong’s development prospects are not something that anyone can slander,” he said.

The last day of Xia’s fact-finding mission included a visit to Beijing’s liaison office in the city and a tour of the Shenzhen Bay crossing’s departure hall.

Lee said the top Beijing official was briefed on a special arrangement at the checkpoint that extended its operating schedule to 24 hours a day over the Lunar New Year holiday to improve traffic.

Xia’s inspection trip is the second in less than a year. Unlike his visit in April, he did not make a public address this time around.