Xia Baolong (left), director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, shakes hand with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (second left) as they visit the Integrated Airport Centre at Hong Kong International Airport on Feb 22, 2024. Xia arrived in Hong Kong for a seven-day inspection visit on Thursday. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

Xia Baolong, the nation’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs, said that his inspection tour of Hong Kong will allow him to see firsthand the city’s situation and plan its development with Hong Kong society.

Xia, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on Thursday while visiting the central control center at Hong Kong International Airport upon his arrival, as he kicked off a weeklong inspection tour.

Xia said the visit will help him gain a direct understanding of Hong Kong’s situation including its economic development and regional governance.

His visit also will center on mapping out the city’s development together with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and community sectors, so as to ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of the city and the steady implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, he said.

Praising the airport as a world-renowned benchmark for excellence, Xia said Hong Kong has long given full play to its advantages in leveraging the strong backing of the motherland while maintaining extensive global connectivity.

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Xia Baolong (second left), director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, accompanied by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (first left), and Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong Fred Lam (third left), inspects the operation of autonomous vehicles at Hong Kong International Airport on Feb 22, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

The central government will continue to support Hong Kong’s work to expand its aviation network and strengthen its position as an international aviation hub, Xia said.

Xia later attended an engagement session with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and other key government officials at the city’s government headquarters in Admiralty.

Speaking to the media after attending the session, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said local officials have reported the city’s situations in various areas, including the economy, people’s livelihoods, district governance, and legislation tied to Article 23 of the Basic Law.

Chan said Xia affirmed the work of the current administration and demonstrated a high level of care and familiarity with Hong Kong affairs as well as confidence in and expectations over the city.

Chan said that Xia will meet with representatives from various sectors and listen to their opinions in days ahead. Chan believed that this reflects the central government’s concern for the well-being of the residents.

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Xia Baolong (fifth left), director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, is having an engagement session with Principal Officials and Permanent Secretaries of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Feb 22, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said that he and his colleagues reported to Xia on their work in areas such as finance, the economy, innovation and technology, land and housing, transportation, and logistics. He said that Xia encouraged the SAR government to work harder to give full play to the city’s unique role and position in the country’s development.

Xia’s schedule includes meetings with representatives from the Executive Council, Legislative Council, the district councils, chambers of commerce, and the media. He is also expected to visit various districts to interact with local residents.

Hong Kong lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king told China Daily that Xia’s visit demonstrates the central government’s care for the city. She said she believes that the inspection tour will enhance Xia’s understanding of local dynamics, and serve as an opportunity for the senior official to convey the central government’s wishes for Hong Kong to its residents.

Contact the writers at oasishu@chinadailyhk.com