Beijing calls on Jardine Matheson to help boost Hong Kong’s global image, city’s prosperity

Beijing’s top official in charge of Hong Kong affairs has called on conglomerate Jardine Matheson to help enhance the international community’s understanding of the city and make further contributions to its stability and prosperity.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, praised the multinational company on Monday for having taken part in China’s reform and opening up as well as the city’s economic development.

The official also reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to the “one country, two systems” policy in a meeting with the group’s executive chairman Benjamin Keswick and the firm’s delegation in the Chinese capital.

“[Xia] emphasised that it is China’s long-standing national policy to ensure the full and accurate implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’,” Xia’s office said, adding that “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” was a stance that “will remain unchanged.”

“Since the reunification of Hong Kong, the original capitalist system, common law system have not changed, nor has the lifestyle of Hong Kong people,” the office said.

“The central government will, as always … fully support Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and support all enterprises operating in Hong Kong to achieve better development.”

Xia hoped that Jardine Matheson could play a more active role in enhancing the “international community’s understanding” of Hong Kong as well as ... contribute to the city’s prosperity and stability,” the statement concluded.