Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Central Committee and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, held a symposium with representatives from the business sector in Macao to engage in in-depth discussions on implementing the important spirit of President Xi Jinping’s inspection visit to Macao [in December 2024] and promoting the development of Hong Kong and Macao to contribute to the nation’s development.
After carefully listening to the remarks of 21 representatives from Macao’s business sector, Xia pointed out that in December last year, President Xi personally visited Macao to attend the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland and inspected Macao, delivering a series of important speeches that scientifically outlined the blueprint for the development of the “One Country, Two Systems” cause and charted the course for Hong Kong and Macao.
Spirit of President Xi’s important speeches
Studying and implementing the spirit of President Xi’s important speeches is of great significance for us to understand the situation, maintain resolve, resolutely stand our ground, focus on managing our own affairs well, and create a new phase of development for Hong Kong and Macao amid changing circumstances.
Xia noted that the business sectors and entrepreneurs of Hong Kong and Macao have long upheld the glorious tradition of loving the country and loving Hong Kong and Macao, stepping forward at critical moments to shoulder national responsibilities and share the nation’s concerns, leaving behind remarkable chapters.
Every person has a share of responsibility for the rise and fall of his country
For every descendant of the Chinese nation, patriotism is a duty, a responsibility, and a mission. Throughout the nation’s historical development, patriotic businesspeople, including many entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Macao, have linked their personal aspirations and corporate development closely with the nation’s future, unafraid of colonialists or Western suppression, bravely standing their ground and interpreting with actions what it means to be “business leaders who serve the nation and its people.”
In the tide of history, generations of Hong Kong and Macao entrepreneurs have deeply integrated their patriotic sentiments into their bloodline, vividly demonstrating an enduring spirit of patriotism and love for their homeland.
Xia pointed out that the business sectors and entrepreneurs of Hong Kong and Macao have written one business legend after another in the magnificent economic development of Hong Kong and Macao, always advancing alongside the surging tide of China’s economic growth.
The destinies of Hong Kong and Macao have always been closely tied to the mainland, and the prospects of individuals and enterprises are also inextricably linked to the future of the nation and its people.
Entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Macao have stood with the nation through thick and thin, overcoming numerous challenges, breaking through blockades, and surpassing obstacles under pressure, demonstrating through actions what it means to “stand firm in resistance.”
In dedicating themselves to the nation’s development, they have contributed to the country, advanced Hong Kong and Macao, and achieved their own success. Some have expanded from single businesses to diversified operations, some have grown from local ventures to multi-regional enterprises, and some have transformed small factories into corporate groups, with their business strength multiplying by several, dozens, or even hundreds of times.
Practice has proven that enterprises and the nation form a community with a shared future, and only by integrating corporate development into the mighty current of national development can they ride the waves of the times and forge ahead.
Xia emphasized that looking ahead, the business sectors and entrepreneurs of Hong Kong and Macao will only withstand trials and achieve development and success by standing on the right side of history, firmly aligning with the motherland, and upholding their principles with courage.
“No illusions about hegemonism”
In today’s world, openness and cooperation remain the historical trend, and mutual benefit is the shared aspiration. Unilateralism and bullying will inevitably backfire. There must be no illusions about the nature of hegemonism.
Hong Kong and Macao are cherished jewels of the motherland, fertile grounds for investment, and paradises for entrepreneurship. Yet some cannot bear to see Hong Kong and Macao thrive, scheming to destroy these precious and blessed lands, something the people of Hong Kong and Macao will never accept.
“Businesspeople have a motherland”
Xia stressed that while capital knows no borders, businesspeople have a motherland. No enterprise develops without relying on the nation; without the nation’s strength, there would be no corporate growth; without the nation’s strong backing, enterprises would lose their roots.
As the main force driving the economic development of Hong Kong and Macao, the business sectors and entrepreneurs must be exceptionally clear in their stance and exceptionally proactive in their actions, tempering themselves through trials.
In the face of hegemonic actions, there are two starkly different responses: one is spinelessness, “kneeling” to beg for mercy. Some willingly offer pledges of allegiance, while others advocate “business purely for profit” at the expense of national interests – such individuals will be scorned by the Chinese people, including our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao.
The other is standing firm with unyielding resolve, demonstrating the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people. Some would rather wear electronic shackles than submit, while others fight back with legal weapons – such individuals are heroes, revered by the Chinese people, including our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao.
In the critical junctures of the Chinese nation’s history, we must continue to uphold the glorious tradition of loving the country and loving Hong Kong and Macao, jointly safeguarding the steady and enduring practice of “One Country, Two Systems.”
Four hopes
Xia offered four hopes for the business sectors and entrepreneurs of Hong Kong and Macao:
First, uphold the spirit of struggle and unite in safeguarding the nation and Hong Kong and Macao. When national interests are threatened, stand firm in defending the nation’s bottom line, consciously linking personal endeavors to the prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao and the nation’s development. When facing sanctions or suppression, unite to demonstrate resilience and integrity.
Second, maintain confidence in development and continue to grow and strengthen while staying rooted in Hong Kong and Macao. Identify areas where Hong Kong and Macao’s needs align with your strengths, fully leverage local advantages and resources, proactively adapt to changes, and focus on building robust, high-quality enterprises. Attract and retain valuable resources in Hong Kong and Macao. Promoting the appropriately diversified economic development of Macao is urgent, and everyone must foster a sense of crisis, think ahead, unify their thinking, and take immediate action to translate development blueprints into tangible projects. In particular, treat the development of Hengqin as Macao’s own mission, embrace the strategic positioning of “Macao + Hengqin,” explore innovative solutions, and invest in projects to pave a new path for Macao’s long-term development and leave a sustainable legacy for future generations. Third, leverage your strengths to break through barriers, expand openness, and embrace the world. Actively expand international business networks, strengthen economic and trade ties with traditional markets, align with national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and explore emerging markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Deepen cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries and enterprises to jointly develop these markets. Proactively encourage overseas talent to return to Hong Kong and Macao and attract top global talent to foster high-end international talent hubs.
Fourth, share Hong Kong and Macao’s stories with the world, boldly promoting the strengths of Hong Kong, Macao, and [who whole of] China. Take the lead in advocating for “One Country, Two Systems” and the advantages of Hong Kong and Macao to bolster confidence in their development. Capitalize on your extensive international connections to invite foreign friends to visit Hong Kong and Macao, showcasing their vitality and charm, and collectively tell the story of “One Country, Two Systems.”
In conclusion, Xia stated that no matter how the international landscape changes, China’s doors will only open wider. He expressed hope that foreign friends already doing business in Hong Kong and Macao, or those planning to invest there or in the mainland, would recognize the potential of China [as a whole] and Hong Kong and Macao, investing in these open, inclusive, and diverse regions where they can strive, achieve success, and realize their dreams in a peaceful, just, and benevolent China.
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Text provided by the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council last night.
Translation of the full text arranged and edited by The Macau Post Daily. Subheadings, bolds and italics added by Post.
The Chinese text is available on
https://www.hmo.gov.cn/gab/bld/xbl/gzdt/202505/t20250512_40946.html
Xia Baolong addresses yesterday morning’s nearly three-hour meeting with Macao business sector representatives at the Forum Macao complex in Nam Van. – Photo courtesy of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
