Beijing calls on Jardine Matheson to help boost Hong Kong’s global image, city’s prosperity
Xia Baolong, Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, also reaffirms ‘one country, two systems’ policy in meeting with Jardine’s Benjamin Keswick
Beijing’s top official in charge of Hong Kong affairs has called on conglomerate Jardine Matheson to help enhance the international community’s understanding of the city and make further contributions to its stability and prosperity.
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, praised the multinational company on Monday for having taken part in mainland China’s reform and opening up as well as the city’s economic development.
The official also reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to the “one country, two systems” policy in a meeting with the group’s executive chairman, Benjamin Keswick, and a company delegation in the Chinese capital.
“[Xia] emphasised that it is China’s long-standing national policy to ensure the full and accurate implementation of ‘one country, two systems’,” a statement from his office said.
“Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” was a stance that “will remain unchanged.”
The office added: “Since the reunification of Hong Kong, the original capitalist system, [and] common law system have not changed, nor has the lifestyle of Hong Kong people.
“The central government will, as always … fully support Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and support all enterprises operating in Hong Kong to achieve better development.”
