In this file photo dated to July 18, 2022, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xia Baolong speaks in Beijing during a seminar to study President Xi Jinping' s speech. Xia on March 5, 2023 affirmed the new-term HKSAR government's efforts to grow the economy and improve people's livelihoods. (PHOTO / HKMAO)
The head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council has affirmed the new-term Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s efforts to grow the economy and improve people’s livelihoods, while warning the city to stay on guard against potential national security risks that would endanger its interests and the country’s development.
Xia Baolong, the HKMAO’s director and deputy head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, made the remarks on Sunday in Beijing when he met with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who was in Beijing for the opening ceremony of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress, held earlier that day.
Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, affirmed the work of the new-term SAR government in the past eight months
Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon, Lee said Xia affirmed the work of the new-term SAR government in the past eight months.
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Xia said he was pleased to see a united government team and governance in a pragmatic, responsible manner, and different departments working jointly to address people’s needs, Lee said.
Lee also said Xia was also pleased to see the Hong Kong community acting in concert, especially as it strives to revive the city’s economy, promote the city’s integration into national development, and seize the huge opportunities provided by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.
However, Xia warned the city not to let its guard down as some external forces are still lurking in Hong Kong. Xia said the SAR government should nip in the bud those forces attempting to sabotage national security and Hong Kong’s social order, and confront them head-on.
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Lee said he promised to strengthen the law enforcement of safeguarding national security, improve intelligence gathering and hold lawbreakers accountable for their activities.
He also thanked Xia for his affirmation of the SAR government, which will inspire his team to work harder and be more thoughtful in regards of governance and policymaking.