Latest news with #XiaBaolong
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Beijing's point man overseeing Hong Kong affairs ‘set to visit city in mid-June'
Beijing's point man overseeing Hong Kong affairs is set to visit the city later this month as it marks the fifth anniversary of the imposition of the national security law and he will speak on the occasion, the Post has learned. Advertisement Sources told the Post that Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), was planning a visit to the city and was likely to attend a national security legal forum organised by the Department of Justice and scheduled for June 21. 'The authorities have been working on Xia's itinerary. An option is to inspect the progress of the Northern Metropolis, ' an insider said on Tuesday, referring to the megadevelopment which involves turning 30,000 hectares of land near the city's border with mainland China into an economic powerhouse and a housing hub. Xia's scheduled visit will come three weeks after Beijing appointed Zhou Ji as the new director of its liaison office in Hong Kong, replacing Zheng Yanxiong who was in the role for 2½ years, with analysts deeming the reshuffle a sign of shifting priorities to focus more on economic development amid a challenging geopolitical environment. John Lee (left) and Xia Baolong visit the West Kowloon Cultural District in February last year. Photo: Elson Li The occasion Xia is expected to speak at is an annual legal forum to mark the anniversary of the Beijing-imposed security law enacted in 2020 after months of anti-government protests , aimed at preventing, stopping and punishing secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
HKFP
30-05-2025
- HKFP
Hong Kong government watchdog investigates amenities in countryside amid city's tourism push
Hong Kong's government watchdog has announced an investigation into amenities in the city's countryside, an effort to boost tourism amid complaints about hygiene and insufficient facilities in some nature spots. The Office of The Ombudsman said on Thursday that the probe is intended to align with the government's efforts to develop green tourism and the concept that 'tourism is everywhere' in the city – a notion put forward by Beijing's top official on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong. The watchdog said it noted news reports of inadequate toilets and poor hygiene conditions in some countryside areas. Information on transport, water filling locations and toilet locations are also said to be lacking, the watchdog said in a statement. The Ombudsman added that it has also 'received complaints about the slow progress of countryside facility maintenance and insufficient supporting resources, such as delays in rain shelter repairs and insufficient publicity for visitor centres.' As part of the investigation, the Ombudsman will examine the operations of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), as well as other departments responsible for managing country parks and ancillary facilities. The government watchdog's announcement came after the Labour Day Golden Week holiday earlier this month, when the city saw large crowds of tourists visiting the countryside, including Grass Island and the MacLehose Trail. Both places are widely featured in posts about Hong Kong travel tips on Xiaohongshu, a mainland Chinese social media app. In Sai Kung, the High Island Geo Trail saw over 3,000 tourists a day, most of whom came from mainland China, news outlets reported. Tourists in some countryside areas waited a long time for minibuses and some complained about inconvenient transport arrangements, according to local media. Jack Chan, the Ombudman, said he himself observed garbage accumulation and traffic congestion during the recent Labour Day holiday. Established in 1989, the Office of The Ombudsman is the city's independent watchdog for probing the government. Controversies emerged with the watchdog earlier in May after it was found to have removed decades' worth of annual and investigative reports, as well as other documents, from its website, saying the move is for 'more effective website management.'
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Xia Baolong urges Hong Kong, Macau business leaders to defend national interests
Beijing's point man on Hong Kong and Macau affairs has urged business leaders from both cities to defend the national interests, a move an analyst has said is a 'wake-up call' for local firms such as Li Ka-shing's Hutchison group, currently embroiled in the Panama ports saga, to take a side. Advertisement Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), had spelled out four 'hopes' for entrepreneurs and business sectors during a closed-door meeting with Macau business representatives on Monday, the second last day of his six-day inspection visit to the city. The meeting was held the same day that China and the US issued a joint statement pledging to slash the duties both countries imposed on each other. Xia said he hoped business communities from both cities would carry forward the 'fighting spirit' and unite all forces to stand firm in defending the national interests. 'When faced with sanctions and pressure, everyone should unite and demonstrate proper integrity and moral character,' Xia was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office on Monday night. Advertisement He also called on business communities to take advantage of both cities' strengths while adapting to the changing circumstances. To expand international business networks, Xia called on both cities to continue consolidating ties with traditional markets while tapping into Belt and Road countries as well as exploring the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa.
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
11-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Beijing's point man on Macau affairs calls on city to ‘stand firm' amid trade war
Beijing's point man on Hong Kong and Macau affairs has called on the casino hub to 'stand firm' amid the Sino-US trade war and explore new markets, according to politicians who met with him during his visit to the city. Advertisement Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), on Sunday also emphasised the importance of developing Hengqing to help diversify the city's economy, echoing instructions delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his own visit last year. In the morning, Xia entered a dim sum restaurant in Macau's central district accompanied by Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai, a former top judge elected to lead the city in October. The pair were joined at the breakfast meeting by nearly a dozen local members of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). According to attendees, Xia discussed the trade war and the country's economic situation. Advertisement '[Xia] has full confidence in our economic recovery and this year's GDP growth and said we have to stand firm in the trade war,' NPC deputy Kevin Ho King-lun cited the official as saying.
