Latest news with #HongKongandMacauAffairsOffice
RTHK
13-05-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Xia urges defence of national interests amid sanctions
Xia urges defence of national interests amid sanctions Senior Beijing official Xia Baolong has laid out four key expectations for entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and Macau during a meeting. Photo courtesy of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office A senior Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs has called on enterprises in the two cities to defend the nation's interests with "fighting spirit" amid sanctions and suppression. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also underscored the importance of attracting investment and exploration of emerging markets during Monday's meeting with business leaders. According to the office's statement, he told entrepreneurs the key to weathering the storm and emerging victorious was to "stand firm" with the motherland on the right side of history. "There are two completely different responses to hegemony: one is to be spineless and 'kneel down' to beg for mercy," Xia was quoted as saying. "The other is to be tough and to stand firm in defence, demonstrating the Chinese people's indomitable spirit. Laying out four expectations, the senior Beijing official urged business leaders to show a determined spirit and defend national interests. "[Xia said] when we are facing sanctions and suppression, we should all unite and demonstrate our resilience and integrity," according to the statement. Xia also highlighted the need for the two SARs to build confidence in development while attracting and retain investment; to expand global connections by leverage their unique advantages; and to promote the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and share the good stories with the rest of the world. In response, Chief Executive John Lee vowed to lead the administration, business leaders and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong in developing a stronger sense of responsibility. Macau's leader Sam Hou-fai, for his part, said his administration would lead the city in making more substantive contributions to the economy and maintain its long-term prosperity and stability.
South China Morning Post
29-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Beijing office posts article critical of splitting ports off in Hutchison deal
A reported plan by Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings to separate two Panama Canal facilities from its controversial port deal would not bring 'any practical significance' as the crux was whether the docks sold would be under Washington's control, an article by pro-Beijing media and reposted by a key Beijing office has argued. Advertisement The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) reposted a second article by Ta Kung Pao critical of the deal on its website on Tuesday, the second in two days. The latest article cited Lau Siu-kai, a consultant with Beijing's semi-official think tank, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, as saying that splitting up the port sale would not have much practical significance. 'The fundamental issue revolves around whether the ports are subject to the pressure and control from the US government, rather than the transaction details,' he said. 'In the context of an increasingly complex global landscape, every decision made by the Chinese government starts from national interests and security, which is an important safeguard for upholding national sovereignty and development.' Advertisement He added that discriminatory measures against Chinese vessels or companies could be imposed at the two relevant ports under pressure of the US government if the transaction was completed.
RTHK
24-04-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Hong Kong, Zhejiang strengthen cooperation
Hong Kong, Zhejiang strengthen cooperation Chief Executive John Lee attended the Hong Kong-Zhejiang Cooperation Conference on Thursday, marking the establishment of a new cooperation mechanism between the two places. During the plenary session, both governments established 13 key areas of cooperation with 51 projects, including finance, aviation, and the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Four cooperation agreements were signed, covering technological innovation, housing development, economic and trade cooperation, and youth development. In his speech, Lee said the new mechanism has brought cooperation between the SAR and Zhejiang province to new heights. "We will work together to promote high-quality trade development, utilising Hong Kong's advantages as an international trade centre and multinational supply chain hub, along with Zhejiang's strengths in digital economy," he said. The SAR is also nurturing emerging industries, such as life and health technology, AI and robotics, all of which Lee pointed out can be developed in synergy with Zhejiang. In a Facebook post, Lee noted the SAR is Zhejiang's largest source of investment and an important platform for the province's enterprises to go global. The CE added that he believes the exchanges between the two places will greatly benefit the nation's reform, opening up and rejuvenation. Zhejiang province party secretary Wang Hao, and executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Zhou Ji, also attended the meeting in Hangzhou.
South China Morning Post
23-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
‘Disgrace': Beijing's top office overseeing Hong Kong slams US tariffs, sanctions
The US has 'brought disgrace upon itself' and made the world aware of its 'despicable and shameless behaviour' after imposing tariffs and sanctions on Hong Kong, according to an article published by Beijing's top office overseeing city affairs. Advertisement In the commentary reposted on Tuesday and titled 'Too much evil will lead to self-destruction: the malicious acts against Hong Kong have brought disgrace upon the United States', the office also defended China's tit-for-tat sanctions against certain US individuals who 'acted egregiously' on city-related issues. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office outlined in the article Washington's recent actions, including the imposition of tariffs against mainland China and the city. It also criticised US sanctions against Hong Kong officials and bills that could close the city's trade offices in the country, and said 'the ugly face of tyranny' had been exposed and that all efforts were aimed at creating chaos in the financial hub. Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: EPA-EFE '[All these actions] provoked strong indignation among Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots. They have also made the world more aware of [the US] despicable and shameless behaviour and its desperate hysteria, which can only backfire and bring disgrace,' it said.
Russia Today
16-04-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Chinese official mocks ‘US peasants' in tariff war jibe
A senior Chinese official has slammed US President Donald Trump's 'extremely arrogant and shameless' tariffs against Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, added that 'the US peasants' would 'wail before the 5,000-year-old civilization.' Xia's comment is the latest in a war of words between the US and China, following Vice President J.D. Vance's remark earlier this month that the US borrows from 'Chinese peasants to buy things those Chinese peasants manufacture.' Beijing slammed the comment as 'ignorant and disrespectful.' In a televised speech on Tuesday, Xia condemned Trump's decision to impose high tariffs on Hong Kong, despite it 'being the largest source of the US trade surplus.' 'The US isn't after our tariffs but our very survival,' he said. 'The US has repeatedly contained and suppressed Hong Kong … and this will eventually backfire on itself.' READ MORE: US to tie tariff deals to China curbs – WSJ The official went on to say that bullying tactics have never succeeded against the Chinese people, including those from Hong Kong. 'Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China,' Xia said. 'Let those peasants in the United States wail in front of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization,' he added. His words were echoed by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian on Wednesday. 'If the United States really wants to solve the problem through dialogue and negotiation, it should give up the extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing,' he told journalists. The tariff standoff with Beijing comes amid a broader US campaign targeting dozens of countries. While most of the elevated tariffs were paused for 90 days, China was excluded from the reprieve. The total tariff on Chinese goods has been hiked to 145%. In response, Beijing imposed 125% tariffs on imports of American goods and restricted exports of minerals essential for high-tech manufacturing.
