Beijing’s overhaul of its top Hong Kong affairs office will lead to more effective policy work, city leader John Lee says, insists ‘high degree of autonomy’ won’t be undermined

Central government’s comprehensive jurisdiction over city goes hand in hand with the ‘high degree of autonomy’, chief executive says

Hong Kong also to consider expanding talent scheme to allow graduates from more top mainland universities to work locally

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee attends the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photo: Handout

Published: 2:46pm, 17 Mar 2023Updated: 11:43pm, 17 Mar 2023

An overhaul by Beijing that places its top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs under the direct scrutiny of the Communist Party will lead to “more effective implementation of policies”, the city’s leader has said, insisting the move will not undermine the financial hub’s promised high degree of autonomy.

Wrapping up his first official visit to ministries in Beijing, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also announced on Friday that his administration would consider expanding its talent visa scheme to allow graduates from more top universities in mainland China and overseas to work in Hong Kong amid an ongoing brain drain.

Lee held the only press briefing of his week-long trip to the capital a day after the shake-up involving the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) was announced. It will now report to the ruling party’s top decision-making Central Committee rather than the State Council.

Chief Executive John Lee hold a press briefing in Beijing. Photo: Natalie Wong

“Strengthening [the party’s] leadership will lead to more effective implementation of policies as supervision is one of the duties [of the reformed office], resulting in the more successful practice of ‘one country, two systems’,” Lee said.

“More effective and swift communications with ministries will also be part of the results.”

Lee spent the week visiting 11 ministries and institutions in the capital, with his last stop expected to be the Ministry of Justice on Saturday morning before his return to Hong Kong.

He shrugged off suggestions that the de facto elevation of the body, which would now report to the party’s core group under the leadership of President Xi Jinping as general secretary, could affect people’s perceptions about the “high degree of autonomy” promised to the city, stressing the guiding principle “originated from the central government’s comprehensive jurisdiction”.