Tale of 2 cities: did Xi Jinping shower more praise on Macau’s leader than on Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam?

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O presidente chinês, Xi Jinping, pediu na passada sexta-feira uma participação maior e mais activa das associações patrióticas e representantes de sectores de Macau e Hong Kong na integração nacional e na abertura do país ao mundo exterior. Xi falou numa reunião comemorativa da fundação da Conferência Consultiva Política do Povo Chinês (CCPPC), expressando a esperança de que os membros do órgão prestem mais esforço na “construção de um país forte e no rejuvenescimento da nação chinesa”.

https://pontofinal-macau.com/2024/09/23/xi-jinping-pede-esforcos-dos-patriotas-em-macau-e-hong-kong-para-a-integracao-nacional/

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Planned election and national security measures in Macao, including revision of its national security law, are aimed at preventing any political crisis like that in nearby Hong Kong from taking root in the semi-autonomous Chinese city, experts say. https://www.voanews.com/a/macao-measures-seen-as-attempt-to-head-off-hong-kong-like-crisis/6429557.html

 

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3160875/tale-2-cities-did-xi-jinping-shower-more-praise-macaus 

State leaders appeared relatively restrained in lauding Carrie Lam and the Hong Kong administration’s work on Wednesday, observers say

But in his meeting with Macau leader Ho Iat-seng, Xi appeared more generous with his compliments, saying city had ‘tamed’ Covid-19 and put various systems in place

Tony Cheung - Published: 9:40pm, 23 Dec, 2021

Praise that Chinese President Xi Jinping extended to Hong Kong’s leader was carefully couched to avoid being misinterpreted as giving hints on the coming chief executive race, and was instead intended to underline Beijing’s authority over the city, analysts said on Thursday.

Observers also said that compared with the positive remarks made in meetings with Macau’s chief executive, state leaders appeared relatively restrained in lauding Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and the Hong Kong administration’s work on Wednesday.

Xi, speaking at his first public face-to-face meeting since February last year with a top official from outside mainland China, was positive about Lam’s work over the past year culminating in Sunday’s first Legislative Council election, after Beijing’s revamp of the electoral system. He also said the overhaul had enabled Hongkongers to exercise their democratic rights and be “masters of their own home”.

“The [city] has achieved notable results in its Covid-19 response, steadily recovered its economy and maintained social stability,” Xi said.

“Lam has led the [Hong Kong] government in making systematic changes and improvements to Hong Kong’s electoral system in accordance with relevant decisions of the National People’s Congress [NPC] and relevant legislation of the NPC Standing Committee … The central authorities fully acknowledge the work of Lam and the [city’s] government.”

But in his meeting with Macau leader Ho Iat-seng, Xi appeared more generous with his compliments.

“In the past year, Macau has effectively tamed Covid-19, and maintained a normal flow of people with the mainland … The groups facing difficulties and small enterprises received help, and the systems and mechanisms safeguarding national security have been improved continually,” Xi said.

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of semi-official think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the differences highlighted how Beijing officials had been more satisfied with the Macau government than its Hong Kong counterpart.

“It’s not just about the pandemic. Macau has also been doing better in protecting national security and public order,” Lau said.

Professor Song Sio-chong, of Shenzhen University’s Centre for Basic Laws of Hong Kong and Macau, said that even though the two cities were vastly different in size, population and political background, Xi’s remarks showed the casino hub’s government deserved credit.

“Macau’s economic foundation was weaker than Hong Kong’s, and it managed to tackle problems such as the coronavirus,” he said.

But Eilo Yu Wing-yat, a political scientist at the University of Macau, said rather than focusing on the differences in wording, he was more interested in how Xi highlighted the Hengqin economic development plan in his meeting with Ho.

In September, Beijing announced a new cooperation zone for Macau with neighbouring Hengqin and urged the casino hub to develop new industries, such as finance and technology, in the new zone.

Yu said: “This shows the central government will support Macau in developing finance and other new sectors … so the city will not just rely on gambling.”

Song noted that Xi’s praise for Lam this time was more general than in the past two years.

After months of social unrest in Hong Kong, Xi told Lam in December 2019 that in the face of various difficulties and pressure, she had stood firm on the bottom line of “one country, two systems”, the principle under which the city is governed.

As Lam reported on her work in January this year, the president also praised her for “being firm and responsible on key issues relating to national security, and showing her patriotic sentiments”.

But on Wednesday, the compliments were not personal, and focused on how Lam led the government in achieving results as a whole.

Song argued that the changes in rhetoric indicated Beijing had reservations about Lam’s handling of social problems such as housing.

“In his meeting with Lam on Wednesday morning, Premier Li Keqiang told Lam he hoped the city’s government would make efforts in improving people’s livelihoods … But Xi didn’t mention it, this indicated Beijing’s dissatisfaction,” he argued.

But veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said the mention of livelihood issues did not indicate dissatisfaction.

“Li’s remarks were in line with Beijing’s stance that Hong Kong can spend more energy on social problems, with the opposition shut out from politics.”

Lau Siu-kai said Xi’s speech was carefully phrased to avoid giving any hint, positive or negative, about Lam’s chances in the next leadership race in March.

“Xi did not want to give any suggestion about the future poll, and what his expectations are. Beijing needs to further assess the international situation before making decisions about the chief executive race early next year,” he said.

Lau said Xi’s emphasis was on how the Communist Party and Beijing remained committed to one country, two systems, and how the electoral system revamp had set the right direction for Hong Kong.

Lam also confirmed she had dinner with Xi on Wednesday. Those present included her husband, Lam Siu-por, as well as Macau leader Ho and his wife.

The last time that Xi hosted a dinner for the two chief executives and their spouses was in 2017, when the president, Lam and her husband dined with then Macau leader Fernando Chui Sai-on and his wife.

In 2014, Xi also hosted a dinner for then Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying, Chui and their spouses.

In December 2016, when Lam’s predecessor, Leung, visited Beijing, Xi heaped praise on him, lauding Leung for “making long-term plans, and laying down foundations for ‘one country, two systems’ and Hong Kong’s prosperity” since taking office in 2012.

But Song said Leung’s trip could not be compared directly with Lam’s latest visit. He noted Leung’s trip took place two weeks after he announced he would not be seeking re-election the following year.

“At that time, Beijing was concerned whether Leung could defeat then finance chief John Tsang Chun-wah in the race. The central government would rather support Lam,” he recalled.

Tony Cheung became a political journalist in 2007. He joined the Post in 2012, and covers Hong Kong-mainland relations, public policies and political issues. Prior to joining the Post, he was a reporter at Asia Television in Hong Kong, Beijing and Guangzhou. He holds a Master of Laws in Human Rights degree from the University of Hong Kong.