Remove barriers to speed up Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, Xia Baolong says

HKMAO director ends five-day inspection visit, as Chief Executive John Lee says city reminded to stay on guard over national security threats

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Xia Baolong visits a community living room operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in To Kwa Wan. Photo: Handout

Published: 4:07pm, 22 Jun 2025Updated: 10:47pm, 22 Jun 2025

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has urged local authorities to speed up work on the Northern Metropolis megaproject by removing barriers while also safeguarding national security against the threat of “soft resistance”, according to the city’s leader.

Seeing off Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) director Xia Baolong at the border at the end of his five-day visit, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Sunday that the city was told to take advantage of the stability and safety brought by the national security law’s implementation five years ago by boosting development and the economy.

Xia, whose inspection trip marked the fifth anniversary of the Beijing-imposed law, had set out the future directions of the city’s development during the trip, Lee said.

The city leader added that Xia had reaffirmed his support for the administration’s work. Xia also praised the work of community care teams, who helped needy households, and encouraged them by composing a poem for the volunteers, Lee said.

“Director Xia reminded us to continue safeguarding national security,” Lee told reporters at the Shenzhen Bay crossing after Xia’s departure. “The risks still exist especially when the geopolitical situation is complex, and we should always stay vigilant against soft resistance.

“We should work on security and development by taking advantage of the safety and stability.”

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