Xia calls for greater contributions from HK, Macao in Chinese modernization
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted the special administrative regions’ significant role in Chinese modernization during meetings with officials and national lawmakers from the two cities on Tuesday.
On Tuesday afternoon, Xia met with 36 Hong Kong and 12 Macao deputies to the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress, ahead of the top legislature’s opening today.
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Xia expressed his hope that the deputies will perform their duties with a strong sense of responsibility and mission, actively reflect public opinion, and provide constructive suggestions.
He stressed the importance of implementing the “one country, two systems” principle, supporting the law-based governance of the chief executives and the special administrative region governments. He also emphasized their mission to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao, while contributing to the nation’s development and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
During a media briefing, Starry Lee Wai-king, a Hong Kong member of the NPC Standing Committee, thanked Xia for conveying the central government’s caring and supportive message. She said that with such support, Hong Kong has achieved steady economic development despite complex geopolitical conditions and external pressures.
In a separate meeting with Macao Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai, who will attend the NPC opening as a guest, Xia referenced President Xi Jinping’s series of important speeches delivered during his inspection tour of Macao in December, which provided fundamental guidelines for the development of the Hong Kong and Macao SARs.
Xia commended Sam for implementing the president’s directives, and praised him for his proactive and pioneering initiatives, as well as his positive and innovative leadership style. Sam took his oath of office on Dec 25 — coinciding with the 25th anniversary ceremony of the Macao SAR — which was presided over by President Xi.
Expressing confidence in the new-term Macao SAR government, Xia said he believes Sam will unite and lead all sectors of Macao to fully and accurately implement the “one country, two systems” principle, diversify Macao’s economic structure through the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and make a greater contribution to national development.
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Sam thanked Xia for conveying the central government’s expectations for Macao, and outlined the Macao government’s efforts to live up to the president’s expectations.
Sam said that the Macao government has actively collected views and suggestions from various sectors to draft a policy address, with a view to promoting sustainable development with good governance and effective policies, enhancing people’s well-being, and meeting the president’s expectations for the SAR.
The meetings followed Xia’s meeting the previous day with Hong Kong and Macao members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
