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Hong Kong politics
Hong KongPolitics

Top Beijing official in Hong Kong urges residents to ‘read and use well’ books on Xi Jinping’s philosophy and vision for city

  • Liaison office director Zheng Yanxiong in rare move points to seven-day book fair and president’s five-volume publication printed in city for first time
  • He insists tomes are ‘important reference’ for residents to grasp new ideas and concepts

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Visitors browse titles at the seven-day book fair in Wan Chai. Photo: Elson Li
Willa Wu
Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong has called on residents to seize new opportunities by reading President Xi Jinping’s philosophy and vision for the city, as he recommended a five-volume publication by the Chinese leader available at a local book fair.
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Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office, in a rare move stressed that books on Xi’s thoughts served as “an important reference” for Hong Kong to develop its economy, improve livelihoods, enhance patriotism and a sense of national identity, as well as advance the successful practice of “one country, two systems”.
“President Xi has attached great importance to Hong Kong and one country, two systems. There are chapters in the publication dedicated to this matter,” Zheng said at a launch ceremony for the publication of five volumes on Wednesday, the first day of the Hong Kong Book Fair.
Zheng Yanxiong, liaison office director, wants Hongkongers to familiarise themselves with the central government’s governing approach. Photo: Jelly Tse
Zheng Yanxiong, liaison office director, wants Hongkongers to familiarise themselves with the central government’s governing approach. Photo: Jelly Tse

A veteran political scientist meanwhile said the books could bring Hongkongers closer to the country’s leader and encourage them to contribute more to the city’s integration with mainland China.

The works, in traditional Chinese characters, have been published locally for the first time. The books comprise an outline for the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and four volumes on Xi’s work experience in Zhejiang, Hebei, Fujian and Shanghai.

“The books would enhance Hong Kong people’s comprehension and grasp of new ideas, concepts and strategies of the central government’s governance of the country, as well as its decision-making and deployment regarding Hong Kong,” Zheng on Thursday said, calling on residents to “read and use the books well”.

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“Hongkongers should understand from the books about their mission and responsibilities to build and revive legacies together … and to fully and accurately implement the central government’s policies and plans involving the city, actively seize opportunities arising from the country’s modernisation and contribute to Hong Kong,” he added.

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