Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs asks city to guard against possible sabotage during Article 23 legislation
- Xia Baolong delivers message on enacting domestic national security law to city’s representatives attending country’s annual political gathering in Beijing
- Chief Executive John Lee witnesses signing of two cross-border agreements on healthcare collaboration on first day of his visit
Beijing’s top man overseeing Hong Kong affairs has asked the city to remain vigilant against possible sabotage by foreign forces during the legislative process of a domestic security law.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the National Health Commission agreed to work together on a countrywide programme to build up a network of healthcare professionals and signed a deal on scholarships for mainland Chinese talent.
The close-door working dinner between Xia and dozens of Hong Kong deputies to the country’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress, took place in the evening, after the top advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, held its first session of the year.
Xia said he hoped the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, could be completed “as soon as possible” so that Hong Kong could focus on economic development, according to delegates. The top official also asked the deputies to stay vigilant against potential interference in the legislative process.
“[Xia] said we need to be courageous to ‘fight’ potential sabotage of Hong Kong by foreign forces, especially in economic aspects,” Ma Fung-kwok quoted Xia as saying. “He hoped we could work together to resist the potentially complicated circumstances.”
Greater Bay Area on the agenda for ‘two sessions’; Hong Kong delegates head to Beijing
Ma and other deputies did not elaborate on what potential sabotage Xia was referencing, but stressed that the official, who recently concluded a one-week visit to Hong Kong, had highlighted the city’s niche as an international hub. He also called on the delegates to support the Lee administration.
Wang Huning, a long-time aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping, said “systematic deficiencies” existed in comprehensive studies carried out at the national level. Over the past year, one focus has been carrying out research on how to encourage young Hongkongers to play a greater role in China’s development, according to Wang.
Beijing had also organised thematic inspections to deepen cooperation among Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland, while also making an effort to improve communication with the city’s CPPCC members, he said.
His comments touching on Hong Kong were more brief than those delivered by his predecessor Wang Yang in 2023, and the top official on Monday did not mention the financial hub when outlining the advisory body’s major work for the year ahead.
Last year, Wang Yang urged “patriotic forces” in Hong Kong to be more vocal about supporting the Beijing-imposed national security law.
The annual opening session was attended by Xi and thousands of political elites. Attention was drawn to the seating location of Zhang Xiaoming, who previously oversaw Hong Kong affairs and was recently removed as deputy secretary general of the CPPCC.
‘Two sessions’ delegates push to keep Hong Kong unique, help mainland firms
According to live footage shown by state broadcaster CCTV, Zhang was sitting in the presidium together with other standing committee members of the advisory body, signalling that he remained one of them despite stepping down from the key post.
Hong Kong leader Lee is making a three-day visit to the capital. On Monday, he met Finance Minister Lan Foan and other officials to discuss enhancing financial cooperation between the mainland and the city.
Lee said his administration would continue to encourage its mainland counterparts to issue offshore renminbi bonds and green bonds in Hong Kong and to use the city’s professional services to promote the internationalism of the yuan.
According to the blueprint, the club would spend part of HK$3 billion (US$383 million) in funding to strengthen manpower training with mainland authorities with an aim to better control communicable diseases in both places.
