Hong Kong leader touts meeting between top Beijing official and British-owned Swire

Hong Kong’s leader has lauded a meeting between a key Beijing official and British-owned conglomerate Swire Group, saying it will help improve understanding about policy directions and encourage investment.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday welcomed the rare discussion between Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), and a leadership delegation from the company the day before.

Asked whether the meeting was intended to ease concerns among certain foreign businesses, Lee said such dialogue would help different sectors better understand the policies of the nation and city while promoting business ties.

“Since we have fully opened our borders, we have been promoting the opportunities and advantages of doing business in Hong Kong in a comprehensive fashion,” Lee told a press briefing after visiting two public housing estates to follow up on measures from his policy address.

“Both Hong Kong and central officials are moving in this direction, hoping to help everybody better understand the actual situation in terms of mainland China’s full reopening and Hong Kong’s role in connecting the world.”

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The delegation met Xia on Tuesday in Shenzhen, and was led by Merlin Swire, chief executive of John Swire & Sons.

According to the HKMAO, Xia praised the group for its long-term presence in Hong Kong and support for the “one country, two systems” governing principle. He also urged the conglomerate to contribute to the country’s development.

Lee ducked a question about whether he had attended the discussions, saying that Hong Kong authorities would announce meetings with their mainland counterparts when appropriate.

The HKMAO said Beijing would continue to support Hong Kong in maintaining its unique status and strengths under the blueprint that guaranteed the city a high degree of autonomy for 50 years.

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“[The central government] hopes the Swire Group will continue to firmly support the one country, two systems blueprint, actively participate in China’s high-level opening-up to the world, share the dividends of the nation’s huge market and development and contribute more to Hong Kong’s economic and social development,” the office said.

During the meeting, company chief Swire expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s future and pledged to increase investment in the city and mainland, while also contributing to the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Beijing’s plan for the Greater Bay Area envisions linking up 11 southern Chinese cities, including Hong Kong, to tap the development potential of its combined 86 million-strong population.

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The rare meeting between Xia and the Western conglomerate was also attended by Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong, and his deputy Liu Guangyuan.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant for Beijing’s semi-official think tank, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Xia was hoping to send a signal to other foreign firms that the city was a good place to do business.

“Xia wants to strengthen their confidence in the city by making it clear that Beijing supports Hong Kong in maintaining its comparative advantages, such as its rule of law, taxation system and the business environment under the two systems,” Lau said. “It is a place where they can make money and benefit from proximity to China.”

He said the meeting was also in line with the country’s overall aim to attract foreign businesses, amid its slowing economic growth and tense relations with Washington.