Xia Baolong, the nation’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs, continued his inspection tour in the Macao Special Administrative Region on Monday by meeting with local business leaders.
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Xia, who heads the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also the director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, joined a meeting with around 20 representatives of local industrial and commerce sectors at the Complex of Commerce and Trade Co-operation Platform for China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Tai Kin-ip, Macao’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, also attended the meeting.
The visit follows Xia’s Sunday meetings with Macao members of the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, as well as the city’s legislators.
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He praised the seventh-term Legislative Assembly for enacting key laws on national security and gaming industry regulation.
Xia also emphasized the need to "remain vigilant in times of peace", accelerate integration between Hengqin Island in Zhuhai and Macao, and promote economic diversification.
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On Sunday afternoon, accompanied by Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai, Xia inspected Qingmao Port, a major border crossing between Macao and Zhuhai, where he received updates on customs operations.
He later visited a memorial hall dedicated to Lin Zexu, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) official well-known for resisting the British opium trade, and was briefed on patriotic education and cultural tourism initiatives.
During his six-day tour, which began on Thursday, Xia aims to learn about Macao’s governance and development strategies.
The central government official also conducted a seven-day visit to Macao last year, and a four-day one in 2023.
Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com
