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Zhang Xiaoming speaks during the brief meeting with media on Janurary 10, 2013. (APD reporter Li Mengge)
Zhang Xiaoming, the new director of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong spoke with the local media for the first time on Wed, saying that his office would fulfill its given responsibilities and never "rule Hong Kong".
Participated in a forum themed "Hope in the new year - The growth and responsibility of young people", Zhang said his duty is not to intervene local affairs, but to assist the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in building a more prosperous city.
"The ‘Western District’ is not ruling Hong Kong but will fulfill responsibilities of safeguarding the city's development, expanding its economic horizon and connecting different parties," said Zhang during a short meeting with the media. The Western District is where the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government is located and referred to by the local media as the office’s nickname.
Worked in Beijing for over 20 years, Zhang said central government's policy toward Hong Kong is sustainable, stable and proved to be successful as Hong Kong is heading into the 16th year of returning to China. "The key is to understand the basic law and execute it prudently," he said.
During the meeting, Zhang mentioned the controversial Article 23 of the Basic Law, the basis of a security law proposed in 2002 and has generated much concern that Beijing may tighten its grip and suppress organizations that disagree with the central government.
"It is Hong Kong's obligation to the country to pass the national security law required under Article 23 of the Basic Law, but it should base on situations in reality," said Zhang, adding that "the Article 23 is not a 'forbidden zone' away from public discussion."
Zhang speaks at the forum themed "Hope in the new year - The growth and responsibility of young people" on Wed, Januranry 10, 2013.
A former deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Zhang has spent 26 years on Hong Kong affairs and is regarded among the "handful of mainland officials with an encyclopedic knowledge of the city's inner political workings", as described by local publication South China Morning Post.
Zhang said he had already visited the low-income families in Sham Shui Po district during the three-week stay, where he felt Hong Kong people's resilience in tough environment and strong desire for a better living. "It is a start," he said. "It's one of my dreams to work in Hong Kong and gain deep understanding of the city."
After graduating from Beijing's Renmin University with a master's degree in criminal law, Zhang began his career at the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in 1986. He also sits on the Basic Law Committee under the National People's Congress Standing Committee.
