High-level Hong Kong, Beijing officials discuss future of sidelined district councils

Currently more than half of seats in city’s 18 district councils are vacant due to wave of resignations or disqualifications

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, met ‘relevant people from Hong Kong society’ several days ago in Shenzhen, including city’s No 2 official

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A source has said the meeting dealt with reforms of the district councils and Hong Kong’s economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic subsided. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 10:57pm, 14 Feb 2023Updated: 2:49am, 15 Feb 2023

The head of Beijing’s office overseeing Hong Kong affairs has met local officials and politicians to discuss the future of district councils marginalised by authorities after they became opposition strongholds during a wide-ranging discussion on governance.

Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, met “relevant people from Hong Kong society” several days ago in Shenzhen to learn about the latest developments in the financial hub, the cabinet-level body on Tuesday said.

“[Xia] also listened to reports by the Hong Kong government on recent policies and the review of district administration,” it said.

The Post also learned No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen met Xia over the border.

Xia solicited views on “a number of issues”, which included Hong Kong’s economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic subsided and reforms of the district councils, a source said.