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South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong visit by deputy director of Beijing office linked to megaproject: analysts
A recent visit to Hong Kong by the new executive deputy director of the central government's top office for the city's affairs was likely to have been to check on the progress of the Northern Metropolis megadevelopment, political analysts have said. Advertisement Xu Qifang, the executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), made his first official visit to the city last week following his appointment earlier this month. According to a statement from the office, Xu led a team to Hong Kong and Macau to carry out research, meet officials from both cities and conduct on-site inspections of the Northern Metropolis and Hengqin cooperation zone, across from Macau. It was believed to be Xu's first visit to Hong Kong since he was appointed earlier in July, taking over from Zhou Ji, who was made the director of Beijing's liaison office in the city. Xu Qifang was appointed to the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office this month. Photo: Xinhua Veteran political commentator Sonny Lo Shiu-hing said on Sunday that he believed Xu had 'several objectives' in coming to the city beyond the standard courtesy visit one would expect from an official being appointed to the role.
South China Morning Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing taps personnel veteran Xu Qifang for Hong Kong and Macau post
Beijing has appointed Xu Qifang, a former Communist Party personnel official, to the second-most senior position in its top body managing Hong Kong and Macau affairs. Advertisement Xu, 60, the former deputy chief of the party's Organisation Department has become the executive deputy director of the Central Committee's Hong Kong and Macau Work Office, according to several sources. The sources said Xu would be promoted from deputy ministerial to full ministerial rank. As the office's executive director, Xu reports to director Xia Baolong , who oversees the office's daily operations. '[Xu] has reported to work at the Hong Kong and Macau Work Office. Senior officials in the office have met with him,' said one source who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. He has been a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, since 2023. Advertisement Xu fills the vacancy left by Zhou Ji , who was parachuted south to become the director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong after former liaison office chief Zheng Yanxiong was abruptly removed at the end of May after two years in the position. At the end of June, Beijing announced Zheng's appointment as deputy director of the National People's Congress' Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee, confirming an earlier report by the Post.
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
With bold reform, Hong Kong can embark on new chapter with confidence
The 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China was marked yesterday with ceremony, celebration and much-needed contemplation of the challenges that lie ahead. Hong Kong is at a critical stage of its development. The city has steadily emerged from the anti-government protests of 2019 and the pandemic. A new chapter has begun. Now, it is about seizing opportunities. The word on everyone's lips is reform. Beijing's liaison office chief, Zhou Ji, set the tone , calling on the city to move with the times, focus on people's needs and unleash potential with new ideas. Innovative reform is required, he said. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reiterated the theme yesterday. He set out achievements made in his first three years in office, including changing the culture of government to one which is 'result-oriented', passing domestic national security laws, tackling the housing shortage and taking steps to revive the economy. Credit is due for the work done. But Hong Kong cannot afford to rest on its laurels. High expectations have been set. With two years of this administration left, Lee must deliver. Bold measures are needed. The structure of the government, inherited from the British, is ripe for reform. Lee has rightly advocated a new accountability system for civil servants. But further and more far-reaching change is needed to boost the government's efficiency.
South China Morning Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
With bold reform, Hong Kong can embark on new chapter with confidence
The 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China was marked yesterday with ceremony, celebration and much-needed contemplation of the challenges that lie ahead. Hong Kong is at a critical stage of its development. The city has steadily emerged from the anti-government protests of 2019 and the pandemic. A new chapter has begun. Now, it is about seizing opportunities. The word on everyone's lips is reform. Beijing's liaison office chief, Zhou Ji, set the tone , calling on the city to move with the times, focus on people's needs and unleash potential with new ideas. Innovative reform is required, he said. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu reiterated the theme yesterday. He set out achievements made in his first three years in office, including changing the culture of government to one which is 'result-oriented', passing domestic national security laws, tackling the housing shortage and taking steps to revive the economy. Credit is due for the work done. But Hong Kong cannot afford to rest on its laurels. High expectations have been set. With two years of this administration left, Lee must deliver. Bold measures are needed. The structure of the government, inherited from the British, is ripe for reform. Lee has rightly advocated a new accountability system for civil servants. But further and more far-reaching change is needed to boost the government's efficiency.
RTHK
01-07-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Beijing officials hold flag-raising ceremonies in SAR
Beijing officials hold flag-raising ceremonies in SAR Cui Jianchun (centre), the head of the foreign ministry's office in Hong Kong, attends a flag-raising ceremony. Photo: RTHK Liaison office chief Zhou Ji was among those in attendance. Photo: RTHK Beijing officials in Hong Kong held flag-raising ceremonies on Tuesday to mark SAR Establishment Day. The national flag was raised at the Foreign Ministry's office in the city at around 7 am, as officials including Commissioner Cui Jianchun stood solemnly while the national anthem was played. Members of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong also held a separate ceremony, attended by new director Zhou Ji.
