logo
Xia Baolong leaves HK after five-day visit

Xia Baolong leaves HK after five-day visit

RTHK4 hours ago

Xia Baolong leaves HK after five-day visit
John Lee says Xia Baolong gave Hong Kong clear directions on development during a speech at a forum to mark five years since the National Security Law came into force. Photo: RTHK
The director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, departed Hong Kong on Sunday evening after a five-day inspection tour of the city.
He spent around 15 minutes at a community living room in To Kwa Wan, where he was joined by Chief Executive John Lee and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun.
Xia also met district councillors at the government's headquarters in Tamar, and visited Beijing's liaison office in Western.
Lee was at Shenzhen Bay Port as Xia and his team left the SAR on a minibus in the evening.
The chief executive said Xia gave Hong Kong clear directions on development during a speech on Saturday at a forum to mark five years since the National Security Law came into force.
"Hong Kong must implement the country's concept of comprehensive national security and use high-level security to safeguard high-quality development," Lee said.
"We should also make full use of the SAR's unique advantages in internal and external connections and promote high-quality development through our openness."
Lee added that the director told Hong Kong to rely on its rule of law, maintain its executive-led system and improve governance to help the territory push for high-quality development.
The chief executive said Xia also wrote a poem to district councillors affirming their work, saying they should do everything they can for the people, regardless of how big or small the issue in question is.
Lee went on to say that the director affirmed his work, as well as that of the SAR government, quoting him as saying local officials should balance security and development and make use of the stable environment to focus on improving the economy and people's livelihoods.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Xia Baolong leaves HK after five-day visit
Xia Baolong leaves HK after five-day visit

RTHK

time4 hours ago

  • RTHK

Xia Baolong leaves HK after five-day visit

Xia Baolong leaves HK after five-day visit John Lee says Xia Baolong gave Hong Kong clear directions on development during a speech at a forum to mark five years since the National Security Law came into force. Photo: RTHK The director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Xia Baolong, departed Hong Kong on Sunday evening after a five-day inspection tour of the city. He spent around 15 minutes at a community living room in To Kwa Wan, where he was joined by Chief Executive John Lee and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun. Xia also met district councillors at the government's headquarters in Tamar, and visited Beijing's liaison office in Western. Lee was at Shenzhen Bay Port as Xia and his team left the SAR on a minibus in the evening. The chief executive said Xia gave Hong Kong clear directions on development during a speech on Saturday at a forum to mark five years since the National Security Law came into force. "Hong Kong must implement the country's concept of comprehensive national security and use high-level security to safeguard high-quality development," Lee said. "We should also make full use of the SAR's unique advantages in internal and external connections and promote high-quality development through our openness." Lee added that the director told Hong Kong to rely on its rule of law, maintain its executive-led system and improve governance to help the territory push for high-quality development. The chief executive said Xia also wrote a poem to district councillors affirming their work, saying they should do everything they can for the people, regardless of how big or small the issue in question is. Lee went on to say that the director affirmed his work, as well as that of the SAR government, quoting him as saying local officials should balance security and development and make use of the stable environment to focus on improving the economy and people's livelihoods.

National security work never ends, says Eric Chan
National security work never ends, says Eric Chan

RTHK

time10 hours ago

  • RTHK

National security work never ends, says Eric Chan

National security work never ends, says Eric Chan Eric Chan (fourth from left) stressed that the SAR government will keep improving laws regarding national security. Photo: RTHK Chief Secretary Eric Chan said on Sunday that safeguarding national security is always an ongoing process. He stressed that the SAR government will keep improving the legal system to construct systemic safeguards for long-term peace and stability. The minister was speaking at a flag raising ceremony by disciplined forces and youth groups marking five years since the National Security Law came into effect. "The Hong Kong National Security Law is a stabilising force and a strong shield that protects the SAR. It protects the fundamental well-being of the people, as well as the long-term stability of the One Country, Two Systems principle," he said at the ceremony held at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O. "Over the past five years, the judiciary has strictly tried national security cases in accordance with the law, demonstrating the fairness and authority of the law." Chan went on to say that the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance under Article 23 of the Basic Law last year complimented the security law introduced five years ago. He said the laws protect the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, allowing society to focus on economic development.

Landlords urged to register basic housing units early
Landlords urged to register basic housing units early

RTHK

time12 hours ago

  • RTHK

Landlords urged to register basic housing units early

Landlords urged to register basic housing units early Housing Secretary Winnie Ho has called for the early registration of basic housing units. File photo: RTHK Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho has urged subdivided flat landlords to register their properties as basic housing units as soon as possible. Her call came after the government gazetted the Basic Housing Units Bill, which will be introduced into the Legislative Council for its first and second readings next month. From as early as March, landlords will have a year to register followed by a three-year grace period to renovate their flats to meet government requirements, which include a minimum size of eight square metres. Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Sunday, Ho said the government would reduce or waive a HK$3,000 accreditation fee for owners who register and complete any renovations early. 'Landlords who register early will enjoy the grace period and an exemption of the accreditation fee. We have designed a fair system, so landlords don't need to hesitate.' Ho said in four years she expected to see around 80,000 basic housing units meeting government requirements. She also said she thought the rent for these units would not rise that much as there would be more public housing supply in future.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store