Hong Kong must recognise and respond to profound shifts to lift economy: Xia Baolong

Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs has said the city is facing profound shifts in its internal and external environments, which its leadership ought to recognise and respond to and spark changes to “achieve better development through reform.”

Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, conveyed the message to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Tuesday in Beijing, just days after a key policy meeting held by the country’s ruling elite ended last week.

As he spelled out the challenges ahead, Xia urged all sectors in Hong Kong to be proactive and determined in transforming the economy by being singularly focused on doing whatever it took to ensure the financial hub’s “golden brand” continued to shine.

Chan is the first Hong Kong government official to have met Xia after the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th Central Committee held its third plenum last week, a conclave to decide the country’s economic road map for the medium term.

Xia said: “It is hoped that the Hong Kong government and all sectors of society will deeply grasp and appreciate the spirit of the third plenum and seize the opportunities, be determined to reform and take the initiative to accelerate Hong Kong’s reform and development.”