Top Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs to start 7-day trip to city on Thursday to gauge views on economic development, district governance
- Xia Baolong will visit nerve centre of Hong Kong airport on Thursday morning as the first stop of his seven-day trip
- Government source says Article 23 national security legislation remains a key topic that Xia wants to get feedback on
Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs will begin a visit to the city on Thursday to gauge views on economic development and district governance, the government has confirmed, with sources saying a proposed security law is a key item on the agenda.
Government insiders said Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), would visit the nerve centre of the city’s airport on Thursday morning as the first stop of his seven-day trip, before being briefed by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his cabinet on developments in the financial hub.
Lee extended his welcome to Xia for his second inspection in a year.
“Mr Lee also expressed gratitude to the central government for its care and concern for Hong Kong,” a government statement said on Wednesday.
It did not provide a detailed agenda of Xia’s visit, saying only that preparation work to ensure a smooth trip was under way.
