Beijing’s top official on Hong Kong affairs urges business leaders, tycoons to keep faith with city, pledges central government’s full support

Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs urged its business leaders and tycoons to keep faith with the city as he pledged the central government’s unwavering support at a meeting with about 20 entrepreneurs on Friday, as some voiced the need to retain the financial hub’s international standing.

Sources told the Post they raised this concern as well as worries about the city’s sluggish property market during the two-hour meeting with Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), that extended into dinner at government headquarters.

Xia praised the entrepreneurs’ “fighting spirit” in developing Hong Kong, their social responsibility and patriotism during the meeting, saying they had “played an important role” in maintaining the city’s prosperity and stability and the country’s opening up, according to the office.

“I hope that everyone will strengthen their confidence in development, carry forward their fine traditions,” he told the attendees, calling on them to “actively support” Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s administration and contribute to the development of the city and the country with actual actions.

Xia also expressed gratitude to the business chiefs for their long-standing presence in the country at the meeting that included Swire Pacific chairman Guy Bradley and entertainment tycoon Allan Zeman.

Bosses of leading developers, including Sun Hung Kai Properties chairman and managing director Raymond Kwok Ping-luen, Sino Group deputy chairman Daryl Ng Win-kong and Shui On chairman Vincent Lo Hong-sui, also attended the session.

Xia’s visit to Hong Kong last year raised eyebrows when prominent developers were not invited to any of his meetings.