During his six-day visit to the city, Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs Xia Baolong expressed confidence in the city’s future, but warned against a “resurgence of street violence,” saying the root causes of protests and unrest in 2019 had not been eradicated.
Hong Kong should never forget the “alarm bell” of the 2019 anti-extradition bill unrest and the harm it brought to the city, Chief Executive John Lee has said as he vowed to crack down on “hostile and destructive forces.”
Hong Kong must maintain its “hard-won” stability, with the administrative, legislative and judicial branches of the government making every effort to safeguard national security, Lee told the press on Tuesday after sending off Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs who had concluded a six-day visit to the city.
In summarising the trip by Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO), Lee said it fully reflected the concerns and importance the central government and the official attached to the city. Xia also expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s future, and gave full recognition of the work done by Lee and his administration over the past nine months, the chief executive said.
Xia met with Hong Kong officials, lawmakers, local delegates to China’s top political consultative body, and representatives from the legal, business and finance, and education sectors, including students, among others. Most meeting were held behind closed doors. The HKMAO chief also interacted with residents, Lee said, and made a “deep impression” with his “amiable manner.”
The Beijing official joined the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day last Saturday, where he gave a keynote speech and described the mass protests in 2019 as having left a “permanent scar” on the city. He also remarked that protesting was “not the only way” for people to express their views.
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Hong Kong leader vows to crack down on ‘hostile forces’ as Beijing official concludes visit
