Tackle HK's most pressing problems, HKMAO chief says
A senior Beijing official on Monday urged the SAR government to work to resolve Hong Kong’s most pressing and urgent problems to live up to the people’s expectations as directed by President Xi Jinping. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), said during an online seminar discussing the president’s July 1 speech that the landmark address serves as a guide for the SAR government to make the necessary changes to achieve concrete results for the people. In response, Chief Executive John Lee said his administration is already working towards this, pointing to the restructuring of his administration, and the setting up of four task forces to address key issues such as cross-generational poverty and Hong Kong's land shortage. He also noted Xia’s remarks during the seminar that ‘One Country’ is the basis for ‘Two Systems’, saying his administration will resolutely and comprehensively implement the policy. The stronger  ‘One Country’ is, Lee said, the better the advantages of ‘Two Systems’ can be manifest. In his keynote address, Xia also urged everyone in Hong Kong and Macau to remain vigilant against ‘anti-China forces’ that he warned still had designs on destabilising the two SARs.  "Anti-China forces won't stop doing evil. American and western external forces won't give up. They may launch counter-attacks at any time. The entire population of the SARs should be vigilant about them," he said. The official added that no one can be a bystander in making sure that only patriots can govern the two cities. "Implementing patriots administering Hong Kong and Macau, [we] must resolutely crack down on any anti-China forces and leave no gaps [for them], while resolutely struggling against the external forces to defend Hong Kong and Macau." Xia further said the national security law and electoral reform in Hong Kong were implemented to ensure that the One Country, Two Systems principle remains unchanged. He said they were introduced to defend the rule of law, democracy, human rights and freedom, while safeguarding the well-being of everyone. Anyone who dares to be anti-China and challenge the bottom line of the One Country, Two Systems principle at any moment will surely be punished, Xia said. Lau Siu-kai, a vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Xia's comments indicates that he knows of further risks that Hong Kong may face in future as western countries work to counter China. He said the United States and its western allies may continue to interfere in local affairs by imposing more sanctions and launching smear campaigns. Given such an environment, Professor Lau said it’s natural for the central authorities to expect the SAR government and its officials to have the ability to counter any such moves by western nations and protect Hong Kong from being inordinately affected.