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Ng Kang-chung

Matthew Cheng

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has called on lawmakers to better support the city’s leader, enhance governance, inject new momentum into local development and address residents’ needs.
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, made the call as he met 88 legislators on Friday at a seminar during their unprecedented week-long national affairs study tour to the capital.
Meeting the group in the Hong Kong Room of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xia affirmed the work of the Legislative Council and encouraged members to “step up their learning, strengthen unity and keep fulfilling their duties with diligence”, according to a Legco press statement.
Xia also urged Legco to “assume a greater role in supporting the chief executive and the [government] in administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law, so as to enhance governance efficacy of [the city], inject new impetus into the city’s growth and tackle the most pressing concerns of the people”.

Xia’s deputies, Xu Qifang, Zhou Ji, Zhang Dongmei and Nong Rong, also attended the seminar. Zhou is also director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong.
During the seminar, legislators shared what they had learned during their trip and their views on Hong Kong’s latest economic and social conditions, according to the Legco statement.
A social media post by the office also briefly mentioned that the meeting had taken place.
Friday also marked the lawmakers’ “graduation” from the National Academy of Governance.
Rounding up the visit in a Facebook post on Friday, Legco president Starry Lee Wai-king described the exchanges with mainland Chinese cadres during the trip as “a profound and thought-provoking intellectual feast”.
“We have become more aware of the crucial importance of the fundamental value of ‘putting the people first’,” she said.
It is the first such tour since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

The lawmakers began the visit on Sunday, aiming to gain a better understanding of the country’s latest developments and policies to help Hong Kong better align with national goals.
At the National Academy of Governance, they attended a series of lectures covering topics such as preventing and handling national security risks, the current international relations landscape, the mainland’s legislative mechanism and the priorities of the national 15th five-year plan for 2026-30.
One lecture addressed the handling of major tragedies, drawing comparisons between last November’s deadly Tai Po fire and the 2021 Henan floods, which killed over 300 people and affected more than 3 million residents.
Lawmakers gained first-hand information on the mainland’s technological advancements by visiting innovation and technology projects in Beijing, including the Xiaomi Auto Super Factory, sensing technology firm Beijing Tashan and Robot World at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.
They also toured the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District to study its successful transformation from an old neighbourhood into a vibrant landmark for culture and consumption.
The itinerary included a visit to Beijing’s “12345 Citizen Hotline Service Centre”, a one-stop platform for handling public complaints, and a tour of the Museum of the Communist Party of China, a national patriotic education demonstration base.
The study visit is expected to cost about HK$1.4 million (US$179,000), or roughly HK$15,600 per lawmaker. The estimate covers economy-class flights, accommodation, meals, local transport and other expenses.
Lawmakers will conclude their visit on Saturday and return to Hong Kong.


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Hong Kong politics

Xia Baolong urges lawmakers to ‘assume a greater role’ in helping Hong Kong leader

Xia Baolong (centre), flanked by other officials, meets the lawmakers in Beijing. Photo: Handout


Lawmakers are briefed on work in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Photo: Handout

Legco president Starry Lee at the Beijing 12345 Citizen Hotline Service Centre. Photo: Handout

Xia Baolong encouraged lawmakers to “step up their learning, strengthen unity and keep fulfilling their duties with diligence”, a Legco statement said. Photo: Handout


Lawmakers share their views on Hong Kong’s latest economic and social conditions. Photo: Handout


As part of their itinerary, lawmakers visit the Xiaomi Auto Super Factory. Photo: Handout

Legco members pose for a group photo in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Photo: Handout

Xia ‘fully recognises’ Hong Kong’s I&T efforts, urges city to seize opportunities

Xia Baolong (second right), with John Lee (right) and other officials, greets residents at a light public housing project in Yuen Long. Photo: Handout

Xia Baolong (centre) visits the Kwu Tung North new development area. Photo: Handout

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HKMAO director Xia Baolong gives John Lee the thumbs up after his two-day visit to Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse

John Lee hands Xia Baolong a gift at the Shenzhen Bay control point. Photo: Jelly Tse

Xia Baolong visits Kwai Chung container terminal. Photo: Jelly Tse

Xia Baolong (left) visits the  new Huanggang Port facility with John Lee. Photo: Handout

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs visits Hengqin in push for integration

HKMAO's Xia Baolong (second left) watches as a robot demonstrates its skills.  Photo: Handout

Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (left) joins Xia Baolong (third right) on the tour of the zone. Photo: Handout

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Hong Kong

Politics

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs makes call in a meeting with lawmakers during their week-long study tour to capital


Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs makes call in a meeting with lawmakers during their week-long study tour to capital.


Xia Baolong urges lawmakers to ‘assume a greater role’ in helping Hong Kong leader

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs makes call in a meeting with lawmakers during their week-long study tour to capital

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs makes call in a meeting with lawmakers during their week-long study tour to capital