Is Beijing moving to more closely guide Hong Kong in areas critical to its success?
- Xia Baolong, Beijing’s official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, issued lengthy statements on meetings with city ministers this week
- Far longer than summaries of previous talks, latest statements viewed by some analysts as sign Beijing is taking more proactive role in guiding local affairs
Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong’s affairs has issued conspicuously lengthier statements detailing his string of meetings with local officials over the past week, in a move political watchers said signalled the central government’s plan to issue explicit policy directions in areas it was most concerned about.
The shift in Beijing’s approach drew attention after Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, laid down his expectations for the city in rare, detailed statements about his meetings with the city’s ministers for innovation and technology, tourism and education in Beijing over the past two days.
“I hope that the leaders of Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions will take up the important responsibility of upholding the fundamentals of moral education, cultivating national sentiment and singing the theme of patriotism and love for Hong Kong,” Xia was quoted as saying in the 652-word statement.
Just a day before, the Beijing official issued a 310-word statement after meeting innovation minister Sun Dong, urging him to identify Hong Kong’s position in the sector, plan reasonably and proactively align with national development goals while “fully recognising” the city’s efforts in promoting the policy area.
But the statement that raised eyebrows the most was a 359-word one regarding his meeting with tourism chief Kevin Yeung Yun-hung on the same day.