Hong Kong media reports that Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, will visit Hong Kong for an inspection this week. He is expected to discuss with the SAR government the consultation and drafting of Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan.
Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily reported on Sunday (June 14), citing sources, that Xia Baolong is expected to visit Hong Kong on Tuesday (June 16) for a two-day inspection, leaving on Wednesday (17th). Xia Baolong's southern visit coincides with the Hong Kong SAR government launching a public consultation on its first Five-Year Plan, which is expected to be one of the key issues discussed during the trip.
The SAR government will launch a two-month public consultation on its first Five-Year Plan starting Monday (15th). Lau Siu-kai, Advisor of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, said in response to inquiries that he believes the central government is particularly concerned about the drafting of Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan and the progress of the Northern Metropolis development.
He said that as the Five-Year Plan consultation starts on Monday, it is estimated that the central government wants to understand the government's and society's real insights into Hong Kong's future development, so as to give important instructions.
Regarding Xia Baolong's visit lasting only two days this time, Lau Siu-kai believes this is different from his previous inspection trips to Hong Kong, and there may not necessarily be any community inspection activities.
Online media outlet "HK01" quoted Beijing sources as saying Xia Baolong will visit Hong Kong for inspection this week, expected to stay for two to three days, and at the latest, will end his trip and leave by Friday (19th).
Xia Baolong has visited Hong Kong for research every year for the past three years. In 2024, he stayed in Hong Kong for up to a week, visiting the central control center at the Hong Kong airport, holding discussions with key officials, business and foreign chambers of commerce, and visited Lion Rock Park among others.
Last year, Xia Baolong visited Hong Kong twice for research: first in February, he inspected the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, and Yantian Port, accompanied by officials including Financial Secretary Paul Chan. He inspected the Hong Kong Park in Hetao. In June, he visited Hong Kong again, meeting with leaders of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, held discussions with the leadership of higher education, business and financial circles, and attended the fifth anniversary forum of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, delivering a speech.
On April 15 this year, Xia Baolong attended the opening ceremony of Hong Kong "National Security Education Day for All" via video and delivered a keynote speech, stating that national strategies and the accelerated integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area provide significant opportunities for Hong Kong and security has become Hong Kong's development advantage. The first Five-Year Plan to be formulated by the SAR government should be scientific and forward-looking, highlight the development of the Northern Metropolis, better leverage Hong Kong’s position as an international financial center, and accelerate the development of Hong Kong as an international shipping center.
Xia Baolong hopes that the business community and entrepreneurs will act as the main force in promoting Hong Kong's economic development and actively support and help implement Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan.