Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also expressed confidence that the city can “weather the storm” in face of challenges posed by geopolitics.
He made the comments on Tuesday during a closed-door exchange with National People’s Congress (NPC) delegates from the two SARs.
The city’s sole delegate to the NPC Standing Committee, Starry Lee, said the central government highly recognised the work of the Hong Kong administration on supporting the economy.
She said the city’s economy has been relatively stable, and able to achieve a 2.5 percent growth.
“We all understand that Hong Kong’s economy is relatively stable … especially the stock market, the volume [went up]. All these [were contributed by] the support of the central government,” she told reporters after the meeting.
“In the coming future, we will continue as NPC (members) to act as (contributors) to the economic development, and to improve the livelihood of Hong Kong people.”
NPC delegate Ma Fung-kwok said the director singled out the city’s stock market as an area of focus.
“[He said] if we can continue in this aspect, [it’ll] certainly be helpful to Hong Kong,” he said.
Asked if geopolitics had been part of the conversation, the delegates quoted Xia as saying that some of the pressure faced by the country would “inevitably pass down to Hong Kong”, but such challenges could be overcome.
In a statement, the office said Xia expressed the hope for the delegates to perform their duties “with a sense of responsibility and mission” and reflect public opinion.
The statement went on to say the director told the members to fully support their respective SAR governments.
Xia urged Hong Kong delegates to expedite the city’s transition from stability to prosperity, and those from Macau to promote moderate economic diversification, the statement added.
