Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong meets 8 top officials to hear economic plans

Xia Baolong hosts discussion session in Shenzhen, with Financial Secretary Paul Chan introducing government’s efforts to advance economy

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Xia Baolong (centre) visits the Hong Kong park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone with city and mainland officials. Photo: Handout

Published: 11:51pm, 10 Feb 2025Updated: 1:06am, 11 Feb 2025

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has met the finance chief and seven other senior officials to hear their plans on the economy and financial services while inspecting two special cooperation zones operated by the city and neighbouring Shenzhen.

The government said on Monday that Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), had hosted a discussion session in Qianhai the previous day in which Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po had introduced the administration’s work and focus this year to advance the economy.

“The session lasted for nearly four hours, with in-depth discussions about how Hong Kong could further understand, respond to and embrace changes under the new circumstances, accelerate reforms to foster progress, enhance cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and better integrate into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area,” a government spokesman said.

The meeting, also attended by seven other Hong Kong ministers in charge of areas such as transport, development and innovation, was held just two weeks before Chan unveils his annual budget blueprint.

Chan previously pledged to focus on curbing growth in recurring expenses and prioritising public works to rebalance the city’s finances with the city’s deficit expected to hit nearly HK$100 billion in the current financial year.

Xia, who spent three days on a fact-finding trip in Shenzhen starting on Saturday, visited the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and Yantian port.

He was accompanied by acting chief executive Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Chan as he visited the Hong Kong park in the Hetao I&T hub.