Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday extended her welcome to the appointment of Xia Baolong as the new director for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office.

Xia, 67, is secretary-general of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body. He now serves concurrently as the head of the country's Hong Kong and Macao affairs office.

Zhang Xiaoming, former head of the office since 2017, was relieved from his post, and instead appointed as deputy director of the office in charge of routine work, according to an appointment notice issued by the State Council.

Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Fu Ziying, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, were also appointed as the deputy directors of the HK and Macao affairs office as their concurrent posts, according to the notice.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, Lam said that the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office has a close relationship with the HKSAR government, as the office is responsible for Hong Kong affairs in the central government.

The appointment of Xia as the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office director in addition to his capacity as the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is testimony to the importance the central government attaches to Hong Kong and Macao affairs, she said.

“I believe under the leadership of vice-chairman Xia, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office will continue to support the SAR government, fully implement the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, facilitate Hong Kong’s development in various sectors, and ensure the city’s long-term prosperity and stability,” Lam said. 

He Shusi contributed to this report