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Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO)

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) is a governmental body, now also known as the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office under the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, with its headquarters in Beijing. It is dedicated to overseeing and coordinating policies related to Hong Kong and Macau, implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" principle. Its key activities include conducting research, facilitating official exchanges, promoting economic and cultural cooperation, and safeguarding national security. The HKMAO’s recent elevation underscores the increasing national importance of the Special Administrative Regions.

A view of Kwu Tung North Area 29, where a world-class fencing hall and swimming pool are planned for the Northern Metropolis, on April 7. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Patriotism is not a business plan for the Northern Metropolis

Beijing has upped the ante with help and pressure, including calling upon the business community’s patriotism, but the Hong Kong government must still sell the business plan.

20 Apr 2026 - 10:40AM

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs meets city’s leaders in capital

17 Apr 2026 - 3:20AM

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong must stay watchful to protect its hard-won prosperity

16 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

15 Apr 2026 - 7:39PM

Chief Executive John Lee has pledged reforms to strengthen governance and public safety following the deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Nora Tam

Greater Bay Area

Beijing official visits Greater Bay Area cities to explore integrating Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office says its director, Xia Baolong, visited Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, and Foshan this week.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:47PM

Hong Kong politics

Zhang Dongmei named new deputy director of office overseeing Hong Kong affairs

Selection of former vice-president of All-China Women’s Federation makes her first female deputy director since office’s elevation in 2023.

25 Mar 2026 - 11:30PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong finance chief stresses flexibility in pitch for Northern Metropolis

Government will discuss land and financial support with mainland and overseas businesses seeking to take part in project, Paul Chan tells Beijing seminar.

20 Mar 2026 - 10:05AM

The Northern Metropolis involves turning 30,000 hectares of land near the border into an economic powerhouse and housing hub. Photo: Eugene Lee

Two Sessions 2025

Editorial | Vital to consolidate executive-led system for Hong Kong’s development

Chinese leaders stress that all of Hong Kong, from government branches to society, have a shared responsibility to ensure the system truly works.

9 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

Two Sessions 2026

Chinese vice-premier stresses shared duty in Hong Kong’s executive-led governance

Ding Xuexiang calls the executive-led model vital for aligning the city with China’s five-year plan and national integration.

6 Mar 2026 - 6:42PM

Hong Kong politics

Focus on development and cherish stability, Xia Baolong urges Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director meets local delegates ahead of annual political gatherings in capital.

4 Mar 2026 - 2:04PMvideocam

The core message of the meeting was for delegates to “unite together and work together”, an attendee said. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong politics

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

3 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

Delegates at the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2025. Photo: AFP

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

Editorial | Panama’s U-turn on a business deal under pressure dents investor confidence

Revoking CK Hutchison’s rights to run two canal ports is a decision that not only affects Hong Kong – it strikes at the heart of international commerce.

14 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong councillor warned over parking offence as misconduct scrutiny widens

Home affairs chief Alice Mak to warn councillors to uphold public expectations, with Poon Chi-shing the latest to come under fire amid recent traffic breaches.

13 Feb 2026 - 5:24PM

Jimmy Lai trial

Ex-media boss Jimmy Lai jailed for 20 years under national security law

Beijing hails punishment as a ‘powerful declaration’ against those who dare challenge the city’s national security law.

10 Feb 2026 - 11:24PMvideocam

Jimmy Lai (front row, third from right) at his sentencing hearing. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Hong Kong politics

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

8 Feb 2026 - 7:33PM

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (front centre) with the latest cohort of lawmakers at the Legislative Council building on January 1. Photo: Sam Tsang

China-Latin America relations

Panama president defends ruling after China slams canal port concession decision

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejects Chinese criticism, arguing verdict was within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework.

5 Feb 2026 - 1:09AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong urged to focus on economic progress, align with national development

Liaison office chief Zhou Ji also calls on the city to strengthen executive-led governance model.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:53AM

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison takes Panama to arbitration after court voids canal port rights

Move comes after Beijing called ruling self-sabotaging and warned Panama would pay heavy political and economic price.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:01PM

Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has said it has launched arbitration proceedings to challenge the Panamanian court ruling. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Executive-led model key to Hong Kong’s success

With the city’s new legislature in place, it is time to further reinforce the executive-led system laid out in the constitutional order.

27 Jan 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong politics

Perform on ‘same stage’, don’t undermine: Xia tells Hong Kong lawmakers, judges

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs calls for stronger ‘ownership’ of city, rejects hostile forces promoting separation of powers.

27 Jan 2026 - 12:41AM

Hong Kong politics

‘Hong Kong has lived up to expectations,’ Beijing says in new year message

City leader John Lee vows to deepen reform and seize opportunities in online post, following President Xi Jinping’s wishes for the city.

2 Jan 2026 - 12:34AM

The flags of China and Hong Kong. Photo: Felix Wong

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong Bar Association backs making bid-rigging a crime after deadly fire

Chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet also says association will propose that key construction safety guidelines become legally binding.

18 Dec 2025 - 10:27PM

Hong Kong Bar Association chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet (fourth from left), with the delegation in Beijing. Photo: Handout

Jimmy Lai trial

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Western nations unlikely to hit city with more sanctions as they need Beijing’s cooperation to offset unfair US trade practices, experts say.

16 Dec 2025 - 1:25AM

Hong Kong politics

Bar Association is first Hong Kong delegation to visit Beijing after fire, poll

15-member delegation expected to hold meetings with Basic Law Committee, Ministry of Justice and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.

11 Dec 2025 - 3:44PM

Legislative Council election 2025

Tackling aftermath of deadly Hong Kong blaze among first tasks for new lawmakers

Election turnout rate of 31.9 per cent slightly higher than in 2021, with city leader saying poll will have profound impact on reforms after Tai Po fire.

8 Dec 2025 - 11:24PM

Winners and their supporters pose for pictures in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Monday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong begins 3 days of mourning as more arrests made over deadly blaze

Death toll remains at 128 while about 150 people are still ‘unreachable’, police say.

1 Dec 2025 - 5:50PMvideocam

National and Hong Kong flags will fly at half-mast for three days. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong housing

Editorial | Hong Kong must stay united on long road to recovery from Tai Po fire tragedy

In addition to comforting individuals and rebuilding homes, the city will need to come together to overcome the collective trauma it has faced.

29 Nov 2025 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Community effort needed to help survivors and those who lost loved ones in fire

Along with support from Beijing and the local government, all Hongkongers must quickly unite and help in any way they can.

28 Nov 2025 - 8:56AM

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Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO)

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Patriotism is not a business plan for the Northern Metropolis

Beijing has upped the ante with help and pressure, including calling upon the business community’s patriotism, but the Hong Kong government must still sell the business plan.

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs meets city’s leaders in capital

Opinion | Hong Kong must stay watchful to protect its hard-won prosperity

Hong Kong leader vows reforms to boost safety, national security after Tai Po fire

Chief Executive John Lee says city will act on lessons learned from deadly blaze, as Beijing warns against exploiting tragedies to sow unrest.

Beijing official visits Greater Bay Area cities to explore integrating Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office says its director, Xia Baolong, visited Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, and Foshan this week.

Zhang Dongmei named new deputy director of office overseeing Hong Kong affairs

Selection of former vice-president of All-China Women’s Federation makes her first female deputy director since office’s elevation in 2023.

Hong Kong finance chief stresses flexibility in pitch for Northern Metropolis

Government will discuss land and financial support with mainland and overseas businesses seeking to take part in project, Paul Chan tells Beijing seminar.

Editorial | Vital to consolidate executive-led system for Hong Kong’s development

Chinese leaders stress that all of Hong Kong, from government branches to society, have a shared responsibility to ensure the system truly works.

Chinese vice-premier stresses shared duty in Hong Kong’s executive-led governance

Ding Xuexiang calls the executive-led model vital for aligning the city with China’s five-year plan and national integration.

Focus on development and cherish stability, Xia Baolong urges Hong Kong

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director meets local delegates ahead of annual political gatherings in capital.

‘Two sessions’ to ‘focus on Hong Kong’s financial role, Northern Metropolis’

Meetings of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and National People’s Congress begin on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Editorial | Panama’s U-turn on a business deal under pressure dents investor confidence

Revoking CK Hutchison’s rights to run two canal ports is a decision that not only affects Hong Kong – it strikes at the heart of international commerce.

Hong Kong councillor warned over parking offence as misconduct scrutiny widens

Home affairs chief Alice Mak to warn councillors to uphold public expectations, with Poon Chi-shing the latest to come under fire amid recent traffic breaches.

Ex-media boss Jimmy Lai jailed for 20 years under national security law

Beijing hails punishment as a ‘powerful declaration’ against those who dare challenge the city’s national security law.

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

Panama president defends ruling after China slams canal port concession decision

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejects Chinese criticism, arguing verdict was within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework.

Hong Kong urged to focus on economic progress, align with national development

Liaison office chief Zhou Ji also calls on the city to strengthen executive-led governance model.

CK Hutchison takes Panama to arbitration after court voids canal port rights

Move comes after Beijing called ruling self-sabotaging and warned Panama would pay heavy political and economic price.

Editorial | Executive-led model key to Hong Kong’s success

With the city’s new legislature in place, it is time to further reinforce the executive-led system laid out in the constitutional order.

Perform on ‘same stage’, don’t undermine: Xia tells Hong Kong lawmakers, judges

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs calls for stronger ‘ownership’ of city, rejects hostile forces promoting separation of powers.

‘Hong Kong has lived up to expectations,’ Beijing says in new year message

City leader John Lee vows to deepen reform and seize opportunities in online post, following President Xi Jinping’s wishes for the city.

Hong Kong Bar Association backs making bid-rigging a crime after deadly fire

Chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet also says association will propose that key construction safety guidelines become legally binding.

Jimmy Lai’s conviction in Hong Kong becomes flashpoint between China, West

Western nations unlikely to hit city with more sanctions as they need Beijing’s cooperation to offset unfair US trade practices, experts say.

Bar Association is first Hong Kong delegation to visit Beijing after fire, poll

15-member delegation expected to hold meetings with Basic Law Committee, Ministry of Justice and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.

Tackling aftermath of deadly Hong Kong blaze among first tasks for new lawmakers

Election turnout rate of 31.9 per cent slightly higher than in 2021, with city leader saying poll will have profound impact on reforms after Tai Po fire.

Hong Kong begins 3 days of mourning as more arrests made over deadly blaze

Death toll remains at 128 while about 150 people are still ‘unreachable’, police say.

Editorial | Hong Kong must stay united on long road to recovery from Tai Po fire tragedy

In addition to comforting individuals and rebuilding homes, the city will need to come together to overcome the collective trauma it has faced.

Editorial | Community effort needed to help survivors and those who lost loved ones in fire

Along with support from Beijing and the local government, all Hongkongers must quickly unite and help in any way they can.

Opinion | Patriotism is not a business plan for the Northern Metropolis