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Kahon Chan

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong and Macau affairs has called on the two cities to fully unleash the benefits of the “one country, two systems” governing principle, lauding it as China’s wisdom and a solution for the world to promote harmony and inclusion.
Xia Baolong also said on Thursday that seven expectations Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out for Macau last month served as a reference for Hong Kong, and that the business community should act as a key driving force through the testing times of economic transition.
In two speeches in Macau to mark the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese administration in December, Xi called on the city to play a bigger role on the international stage, embrace diversity and inclusiveness, and avoid complacency.
The president also demanded that Macau stay on track in diversifying its economy, push for reforms in public administration, expand the city’s international connections and ensure social harmony and stability.
Xia, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told a seminar in Beijing that “the spirit of these important instructions also applies to Hong Kong”.
“Hong Kong and Macau must excel in fostering internal and external connections, so as to best unleash the benefits of one country, two systems both inside and outside [the country], polish their international brands even brighter, and demonstrate greater achievements on the international stage,” Xia was quoted as saying in a statement by his office.

The seminar was held by the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank to sum up the takeaways from the president’s remarks.
Xia said the president’s unusual caution over what could be built in the Hengqin cooperation zone in Zhuhai served as a reminder that both Hong Kong and Macau had to have a firm grip on their roles in the Greater Bay Area development blueprint, pledging to support their participation in the economic integration initiative with “more pragmatic measures”.
The Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone, which covers Hengqin Island across from the gaming hub, was established in 2021 with an aim of helping Macau in diversifying its economy.
During his speech last month, Xi underscored that projects in the Hengqin zone must not be inconsistent with Beijing’s policy goals and that authorities should ensure its development included schemes that supported the city’s economic diversification.
“President Xi’s important speeches are anchored on the broad context of time and space, and clearly put forward the value concepts of peace, inclusiveness, openness and sharing embodied in one country, two systems, greatly demonstrating the principle’s contemporary and worldwide significance,” the Beijing official was quoted as saying.
Xia said the governing principle served as a demonstration of China’s wisdom and solution on global governance as the model’s implementation in Hong Kong and Macau had proved its value in promoting dialogue, harmony, inclusion, diversity, openness and mutual benefits.
“Hopefully, the governments and communities of Hong Kong and Macau will bear in mind the instructions, follow the trend of the times, take the initiative to identify, respond to and seek changes, better leverage the institutional advantages of one country, two systems, and strengthen the mutual learning, exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and Macau,” he said.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, attended the seminar remotely in the city.
Macau leader Sam Hou-fai, who was sworn in by Xi last month, also joined the event by videoconferencing along with dozens of senior officials and local political elites.
Lee pledged in a social media post to deliver on the president’s hopes, saying the city government would seize opportunities, forge ahead with reforms, and advance the development of the Northern Metropolis by referencing the experience of the Hengqin zone.
Sam promised to further enhance Macau’s internationalisation as well as global influence and appeal.
Chen Shaobo, director of the Hong Kong Insights Institute and a member of the semi-official think tank, said Xia mentioned the Northern Metropolis at least twice at the seminar and reiterated that the business community should act as the key driving force when the city underwent the testing times of economic transformation.

In November, Xia called on property tycoons to back the government’s long-term development drives. The city’s development minister said it included the Northern Metropolis project, which aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) of land near the border into an economic powerhouse and housing centre.
Chen said: “He used a quite memorable expression – ‘vajra in fierce fire’ – to describe those who stand the test and make a difference in the most difficult times … This is a very important metaphor because only those who can stand the test can serve as the main force.”
Han Dayuan, the think tank’s vice-president, said the one country, two systems principle had given rise to Hong Kong’s status as an international trade and logistics centre, which was not only relevant to the prosperity of the city and the country, but also for mutual development of other stakeholders in the world.
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant of the association, said the city had to fulfil Beijing’s expectations with a bolder and more creative approach while also learning from its neighbour.
“Macau has done some things earlier and better than Hong Kong – in safeguarding national security, promoting national education and cultivating a patriotic ruling force,” he said.
“This is what President Xi asked Hong Kong and Macau to learn from each other.”


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Hong Kong politics

Xi’s orders for Macau serve as reference for Hong Kong, Beijing official says

The president’s recent remarks on Macau also apply to Hong Kong, a senior Beijing official says. Photo: Eugene Lee

Xia Baolong says Hong Kong and Macau must excel in fostering internal and external connections. Photo: Handout

Chief Executive John Lee (front, third right) attends the seminar with other officials. Photo: Facebook/John Lee

Xi’s speech tasks Macau and Hong Kong with ‘one country, two systems’ mission

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front right), Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai (front left) and first lady Peng Liyuan (back right) at the inauguration ceremony in Macau. Photo: Eugene Lee

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. Photo: Handout

Xi Jinping stresses projects in Hengqin zone must align with Beijing policies

The Macau Tower and Hengqing in the distance. Photo: Xinhua 

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the inauguration ceremony for Macau’s new administration. Photo: Eugene Lee

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Hong Kong

Politics

Xia Baolong also calls on Hong Kong and Macau to fully unleash the benefits of the ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle


Xia Baolong also calls on Hong Kong and Macau to fully unleash the benefits of the ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle.


Xi’s orders for Macau serve as reference for Hong Kong, Beijing official says

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Xia Baolong also calls on Hong Kong and Macau to fully unleash the benefits of the ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle

Xia Baolong also calls on Hong Kong and Macau to fully unleash the benefits of the ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle