Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council delivers his speech during the event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies in Beijing. (PHOTO / HONG KONG AND MACAU WORK OFFICE OF THE CPC CENTRAL COMMITTEE)

Xia Baolong, the nation’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs, has called on national political advisers from Hong Kong and Macao to strive for development and refute the smear campaigns of external forces. 

Xia made the remarks on Sunday when he visited members from the two regions, who arrived in Beijing for the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The session began on Monday.

According to Lee, in the current complicated geopolitical environment, Hong Kong should not only focus on the economy and people’s livelihood but also fight against external anti-China forces

According to members who attended the meeting on Sunday, Xia, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shared the results of his recent weeklong inspection tour in Hong Kong in late February.

READ MORE: Xia Baolong kicks off 7-day Hong Kong inspection tour

Xia affirmed the city’s efforts in district governance, a key focus of his fact-finding trip along with the city’s economy, and people’s livelihoods.

Several CPPCC members from Hong Kong expressed their appreciation for Xia’s visit and support amid his busy schedule in Beijing.

Speaking to China Daily after attending Sunday’s meeting, CPPCC National Committee member and Hong Kong lawmaker Michael Lee Chun-keung cited Xia’s expectations for the city, saying he expected the city to build on previous miracles and scale new heights. 

According to Lee, in the current complicated geopolitical environment, Hong Kong should not only focus on the economy and people’s livelihood but also fight against external anti-China forces. As a lawmaker, he pledged to use different platforms to speak out when confronted with smears against the country and the HKSAR.

Hong Kong CPPCC National Committee member Judith Yu said she felt encouraged by Xia’s meeting, saying that he boosted her confidence in Hong Kong’s prospects. Noting that Hong Kong has made significant contributions during the country’s reform and opening-up, Yu encouraged everyone, especially young people, to make bigger contributions to both Hong Kong and the country since Hong Kong is now advancing from stability to prosperity.

READ MORE: 'Xia upbeat, accommodative to Hong Kong's proposals'

The delegation of Hong Kong deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress also set off for the annual session of the nation’s top legislature — the NPC, on Sunday morning and held a group meeting upon their arrival in the evening. During the meeting, Ma Fung-kwok was elected as the head of the Hong Kong delegation, while Brave Chan Yung and Stanley Ng Chau-pei were appointed as deputy heads.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com