'Xia Baolong to visit HK to hear views on Article 23'
RTHK has learnt that a top Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs will pay a six-day visit to the SAR from Thursday to listen to views on proposed Article 23 national security legislation. It's understood that Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, will meet representatives of various sectors of the community during his stay. He's expected to hold talks with SAR government officials, executive councillors, legislators, business representatives and professionals. Xia could also be meeting residents and district councillors. When asked about reports of the visit, Chief Executive John Lee said before the weekly Executive Council meeting that central government officials have all along been very concerned about Hong Kong affairs. "Whether it was President Xi Jinping or other central government officials, they repeatedly stressed that they are highly concerned about [efforts] to develop the economy and improve people's livelihoods in Hong Kong," Lee said. "The communication on this between Beijing officials and I has been very smooth. "If there are any public events held between the SAR government and Beijing officials, we will make an announcement in due course." If confirmed, this will be Xia's second trip to the city in less than a year. Last April, he was in Hong Kong for National Security Education Day activities.