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Xia Baolong urges lawmakers to ‘assume a greater role’ in helping Hong Kong leader

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has called on lawmakers to better support the city’s leader, enhance governance, inject new momentum into local development…

By Samantha Johnson / July 24, 2026

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs has called on lawmakers to better support the city’s leader, enhance governance, inject new momentum into local development and address residents’ needs.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, made the call as he met 88 legislators on Friday at a seminar during their unprecedented week-long national affairs study tour to the capital.

Meeting the group in the Hong Kong Room of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xia affirmed the work of the Legislative Council and encouraged members to “step up their learning, strengthen unity and keep fulfilling their duties with diligence”, according to a Legco press statement.

Xia also urged Legco to “assume a greater role in supporting the chief executive and the [government] in administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law, so as to enhance governance efficacy of [the city], inject new impetus into the city’s growth and tackle the most pressing concerns of the people”.

Lawmakers are briefed on work in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Photo: Handout
Lawmakers are briefed on work in the Longfu Temple Historical and Cultural District. Photo: Handout

Xia’s deputies, Xu Qifang, Zhou Ji, Zhang Dongmei and Nong Rong, also attended the seminar. Zhou is also director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong.

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