Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, affirmed Hong Kong’s all-out efforts in drafting its own five-year plan and making progress in the economy, innovation and social security.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu cited these remarks from the senior central government official after accompanying Xia on a two-day inspection tour of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The two-day trip, which concluded on Wednesday, focused on the city’s alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and its Northern Metropolis development.
On Wednesday, Xia, who is also director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, visited the new Huanggang Port. Scheduled to open next month, the port is set to be the world’s largest land checkpoint and will feature an updated “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” model.
As part of briefings on the port redevelopment, Hong Kong officials outlined legislative work related to the port’s co-location arrangement — a streamlined border-crossing model that allows travelers to complete both exit and entry immigration and customs procedures in the same location. This arrangement has been adopted at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon high-speed rail station.
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During his visit to the container terminal operated by COSCO Shipping International (Hong Kong) in Kwai Chung, Xia was briefed on Hong Kong’s maritime port industry and the terminal’s development, including its transformation, automation and data platform.
At a media briefing after the tour, Lee said Xia had commended the SAR government’s commitment and progress in drafting Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, as well as the city’s achievements in safeguarding national security, economic development and innovation.
According to Lee, Xia expected that the city’s new blueprint to be directional, strategic and actionable, while setting clear targets and tracking progress. He also called on the city’s annual Policy Address to align with the overall plan.
Lee also pledged to further accelerate the Northern Metropolis development, integrating education, technology, talent, industry and urban construction.
Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung, who joined the visit to Huanggang Port, said that next week, a draft bill will be reviewed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to authorize the HKSAR’s jurisdiction over the relevant port area. With central authorities’ approval, the SAR government will submit the relevant bill to the local legislature for scrutiny.
Tang added that Hong Kong and Shenzhen departments are installing interior work and facilities within the new port building.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan Mei-po said the nation has placed great trust in the SAR, as the 15th Five-Year Plan calls for strengthening its role as a global hub for finance, shipping, trade and aviation. She said Hong Kong will continue advancing its vision as the global maritime capital by promoting intelligence, digitalization and green initiatives of ports, while refining tax incentives.
In the afternoon, Xia exchanged views with representatives of Hong Kong patriots at Government House, before concluding his inspection and returning to Shenzhen.
Contact the writer at gangwen@chinadailyhk.com