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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.

Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang (centre) meets Hong Kong and Macau members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on Friday. He is joined by CPPCC vice-chairmen and former chief executives Leung Chun-ying of Hong Kong (left) and Edmund Ho Hau-wah of Macau. Photo: Matthew Cheng

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

4 Mar 2026 - 2:04PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

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

3 Mar 2026 - 8:30AM

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

A view of the administrative entrance at the port of Balboa in Panama City, taken on February 12. Photo: AFP

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

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

The Hong Special Administrative Region and Chinese national flags outside the Legislative Council complex on March 19, 2024. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

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

The ruling could send Jimmy Lai to jail for life. Photo: AP

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

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

Hong Kong politics

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs meets HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery

But Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office does not reveal what was discussed in meeting between Xia Baolong and HSBC chief in Beijing.

21 Nov 2025 - 8:20PM

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director Xia Baolong meets HSBC Group CEO Georges Elhedery in Beijing. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong receives 41 million visitors in first 10 months of 2025, a 12% jump

Among visitors, 31.44 million came from mainland China – nearly 77 per cent of all arrivals – while 9.62 million were foreign tourists.

17 Nov 2025 - 5:20PM

Tourists gather at the Blue House Cluster in Wan Chai for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Hong Kong welcomed 9.62 million foreign tourists in the first 10 months of 2025. Photo: Sun Yeung

Legislative Council election 2025

Debate welcome at Hong Kong’s Legco election forums, but no smearing: Eric Chan

City’s No 2 official says government-run forums, other efforts aim to elect high-quality candidates without ‘mudslinging and back-stabbing’.

14 Nov 2025 - 11:54PM

Legislative Council election 2025

Editorial | Legco hopefuls must make the coming weeks count

The authorities and future lawmakers have an opportunity to garner wider public recognition and support for the revamped governance model.

8 Nov 2025 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong politics

As I see it | Turnover among Hong Kong legislators should not be surprising

The revamped electoral system is designed to attract patriotic but also professional people to Legco. Beijing has zero reason to interfere with the coming election.

5 Nov 2025 - 9:30AM

Legislative Council president Andrew Leung meets the media on October 22, as the seventh Legco term wrapped up. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong politics

Tougher races in Hong Kong Legco poll amid uncertainty: Beijing office

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office reposts commentary stressing there is no ‘blessing list’ and that candidates cannot win by ‘lying flat’.

4 Nov 2025 - 1:15PM

A poster for the 2025 Legislative Council election, on display in Admiralty. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Hong Kong needs a Legco that can help it navigate challenging times ahead

The large number of legislators not seeking re-election marks a shift towards identifying those with the expertise the city and country need at the current moment.

25 Oct 2025 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong politics

Deputy director of Beijing office overseeing Hong Kong meets media delegation

New deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong also joins meeting a day after taking up post.

13 Oct 2025 - 12:15AM

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Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO)

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

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

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}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.

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs meets HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery

But Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office does not reveal what was discussed in meeting between Xia Baolong and HSBC chief in Beijing.

Hong Kong receives 41 million visitors in first 10 months of 2025, a 12% jump

Among visitors, 31.44 million came from mainland China – nearly 77 per cent of all arrivals – while 9.62 million were foreign tourists.

Debate welcome at Hong Kong’s Legco election forums, but no smearing: Eric Chan

City’s No 2 official says government-run forums, other efforts aim to elect high-quality candidates without ‘mudslinging and back-stabbing’.

Editorial | Legco hopefuls must make the coming weeks count

The authorities and future lawmakers have an opportunity to garner wider public recognition and support for the revamped governance model.

As I see it | Turnover among Hong Kong legislators should not be surprising

The revamped electoral system is designed to attract patriotic but also professional people to Legco. Beijing has zero reason to interfere with the coming election.

Tougher races in Hong Kong Legco poll amid uncertainty: Beijing office

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office reposts commentary stressing there is no ‘blessing list’ and that candidates cannot win by ‘lying flat’.

Editorial | Hong Kong needs a Legco that can help it navigate challenging times ahead

The large number of legislators not seeking re-election marks a shift towards identifying those with the expertise the city and country need at the current moment.

Deputy director of Beijing office overseeing Hong Kong meets media delegation

New deputy director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong also joins meeting a day after taking up post.

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