Beijing urges HSBC to keep backing mainland China and Hong Kong’s development push
Xia Baolong, Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, issues call in meeting with HSBC group chairman Mark Tucker
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), praised the financial services giant for its optimism towards the development of the country in the Friday meeting. He also underscored Beijing’s support for maintaining Hong Kong’s “unique status and strengths”.
Britain’s foreign secretary, David Lammy, started his two-day visit to the country on the same day, calling for dialogue to fully resume between London and Beijing.
In the Friday discussion, which was also attended by HKMAO executive deputy director Zhou Ji, Xia called on HSBC to continue to play to its strengths, actively participate in the country’s high-quality development and opening-up, and contribute to Hong Kong’s prosperity.
“Xia emphasised it is China’s long-standing national policy to ensure the comprehensive, accurate and unswerving implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle,” the office said.
“The central government will always fully support Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and strengths, maintain a free, open and regularised business environment and create better conditions for enterprises from different countries and regions to develop in Hong Kong.”
