**********************************************************
Following is a question by Dr Hon Lam Tai-fai and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, in the Legislative Council today (May 18):
Question:
The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (the Chairman) is visiting Hong Kong at present. The three-day itinerary includes attending the "Belt and Road Summit" as well as a welcome dinner hosted by the Chief Executive. This is another visit to Hong Kong by a state leader after the visit of the former State President to Hong Kong three-odd years ago in July 2012. Some information sources have pointed out that in this visit to Hong Kong, the Chairman will focus on economic issues and national development, commenting mainly on how Hong Kong can capitalise on the opportunities arising from national development, including the need for Hong Kong to consider how its strengths can contribute to the country. Some market practitioners hope that the Central Authorities will announce further details on the implementation of a stock connect for cross-boundary trading of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (the Sz-HK Stock Connect). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(1) it knows if there is any other purpose, in addition to attending the said forum, of the Chairman's present visit to Hong Kong; if there is, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) it knows if the Chairman will, representing the Central Authorities, announce or take forward some new policies concerning Hong Kong during this visit; if he will, of the contents of the policies; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) it has recommended the Chairman to conduct visits to various districts to meet with members of the public, so as to understand the various livelihood issues facing the grassroots and the middle class; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(4) it has recommended the Chairman to visit tertiary institutions and meet with their teaching staff and students; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(5) it has recommended the Chairman to meet with various industrial and commercial organisations to get an update on Hong Kong's economy; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(6) it has recommended the Chairman to meet with Members of this Council from various political parties and factions, including Members with no affiliation; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(7) it has reviewed the past experience in receiving state leaders during their visits to Hong Kong; if it has, of the details, and whether it has, in light of the experience gained, stepped up the security measures for the Chairman's visit (e.g. deploying additional number of police officers to maintain order); if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(8) it has assessed if incidents similar to the riot in Mong Kok will occur during the Chairman's visit; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(9) it has truthfully reported to the Chairman on the recent public sentiments and opinions in Hong Kong, as well as those recent incidents that were more conspicuous (including views advocating the independence of Hong Kong, the Causeway Bay Books incident and the riot in Mong Kok); if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will make such a report;
(10) it has taken this opportunity to seek to understand from the Chairman whether the Central Authorities have changed the policy on governing Hong Kong; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will seek such an understanding;
(11) it has given an account to the Chairman of the preparatory work of the Sz-HK Stock Connect on the part of Hong Kong, and whether it has sought to understand from the Chairman the timetable for announcing the implementation of the Sz-HK Stock Connect; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that, and whether it will give such as account and seek such an understanding; and
(12) it has recommended the Chairman to express the Central Authorities' views and stance on the views advocating the independence of Hong Kong; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
During his visit to Hong Kong on May 17 to 19, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Zhang Dejiang, will attend the Belt and Road Summit organised by the Government and inspect the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
In consultation with the Chief Executive's Office and relevant bureaux, our consolidated reply to Dr Hon Lam Tai-fai's question is as follows:
Whenever national leaders and foreign dignitaries visit Hong Kong, the Government will take into account the actual circumstances and security requirements and announce information relevant to the visit programme at a suitable juncture. According to the press release issued by the Information Services Department on April 14, Chairman Zhang will deliver a keynote speech at the Belt and Road Summit on May 18. The Chief Executive will also host a welcome dinner for Chairman Zhang at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre that evening. The Home Affairs Department has sent invitation letters to representatives from various sectors of the community to attend the dinner. Chairman Zhang will also meet some members of the Legislative Council before dinner. The Government will announce information relevant to the Chairman's inspection on Hong Kong as appropriate.
As far as the security arrangement is concerned, the Police will consolidate experience after each major operation. Whenever national leaders and foreign dignitaries visit Hong Kong, the Police will take appropriate and tight security measures to ensure the safety of national leaders or foreign dignitaries and that the related activities will be conducted in a safe and orderly manner. The Police will make professional risk assessment and appropriate arrangements on the basis of the latest international situation, past experience of similar operations and other relevant factors. As the security arrangement of the Police involves operational details, it is not appropriate to disclose such information. The security measures arranged by the Police may cause inconvenience to the general public but they are nonetheless essential to ensure the safety of the participants of the related activities.
Ends/Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:51
NNNN