Xi’s orders for Macau serve as reference for Hong Kong, Beijing official says

Xia Baolong also calls on Hong Kong and Macau to fully unleash the benefits of the ‘one country, two systems’ governing principle

Reading Time:3 minutes

The president’s recent remarks on Macau also apply to Hong Kong, a senior Beijing official says. Photo: Eugene Lee

Published: 8:44pm, 9 Jan 2025Updated: 11:37pm, 9 Jan 2025

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong and Macau affairs has called on the two cities to fully unleash the benefits of the “one country, two systems” governing principle, lauding it as China’s wisdom and a solution for the world to promote harmony and inclusion.

Xia Baolong also said on Thursday that seven expectations Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out for Macau last month served as a reference for Hong Kong, and that the business community should act as a key driving force through the testing times of economic transition.

In two speeches in Macau to mark the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese administration in December, Xi called on the city to play a bigger role on the international stage, embrace diversity and inclusiveness, and avoid complacency.

The president also demanded that Macau stay on track in diversifying its economy, push for reforms in public administration, expand the city’s international connections and ensure social harmony and stability.

Xia, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told a seminar in Beijing that “the spirit of these important instructions also applies to Hong Kong”.

“Hong Kong and Macau must excel in fostering internal and external connections, so as to best unleash the benefits of one country, two systems both inside and outside [the country], polish their international brands even brighter, and demonstrate greater achievements on the international stage,” Xia was quoted as saying in a statement by his office.