Hong Kong leader John Lee touts meeting between top Beijing official and British-owned Swire Group, saying it will boost understanding and investment
- Chief Executive John Lee welcomes rare discussion between HKMAO head Xia Baolong and leadership delegation from Swire Group
- Meeting suggests Beijing is hoping to show other foreign firms the city is a good place to do business, according to analyst Lau Siu-kai
Hong Kong’s leader has lauded a meeting between a key Beijing official and British-owned conglomerate Swire Group, saying it will help improve understanding about policy directions and encourage investment.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday welcomed the rare discussion between Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), and a leadership delegation from the company the day before.
Asked whether the meeting was intended to ease concerns among certain foreign businesses, Lee said such dialogue would help different sectors better understand the policies of the nation and city while promoting business ties.
“Since we have fully opened our borders, we have been promoting the opportunities and advantages of doing business in Hong Kong in a comprehensive fashion,” Lee told a press briefing after visiting two public housing estates to follow up on measures from his policy address.
“Both Hong Kong and central officials are moving in this direction, hoping to help everybody better understand the actual situation in terms of mainland China’s full reopening and Hong Kong’s role in connecting the world.”
The delegation met Xia on Tuesday in Shenzhen, and was led by Merlin Swire, chief executive of John Swire & Sons.
According to the HKMAO, Xia praised the group for its long-term presence in Hong Kong and support for the “one country, two systems” governing principle. He also urged the conglomerate to contribute to the country’s development.
