'Hong Kong's Importance To China Has Not Diminished'

Hong Kong's sole delegate on the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Tam Yiu-chung, has dismissed suggestions that Hong Kong's importance to the country has diminished, after the Chief Executive’s trip to Beijing this month was reportedly pushed back.

In an unprecedented move, Carrie Lam had delayed her Policy Address until the end of November, saying she would travel to Beijing for talks with the central government about the SAR's economic recovery.

Speaking after a radio programme, Tam said it is understandable that the trip could not happen according to schedule, as the fifth plenary session of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee is happening in the capital next week.

“Hong Kong, of course, is very important," he said, adding that Lam would find a suitable time to present the Policy Address.

He said even though there was a delay, it was not a big problem. He said Hong Kong should pay attention to important messages emerging from the plenary session and make adjustments to its future development plans.

Speaking on the radio programme, Tam also said that the central government has no plans to marginalise Hong Kong and would not use Shenzhen to replace the SAR.

The pro-establishment heavyweight also brushed aside concerns over the University of Hong Kong's plans to appoint two mainland scholars – one believed to be a Chinese Communist Party member – as vice-presidents.

The university's governing council is expected to discuss the appointments of Tsinghua University scholars, Max Shen and Gong Peng, on Tuesday.

The appointments have raised concern from alumni and students, who noted that Shen was listed as a Communist Party member on the Tsinghua University website until recently.

The university has refused to comment, only saying that parts of the media reports are inconsistent with the facts.

Tam was asked if appointing a party member to a senior management position at the university could jeopardise academic freedom.

“Of course not. Freedom is according to the Basic Law. No problem,” he answered.

He added that it is "no big deal" even if one of the professors has a Communist Party background, as many people on the mainland are party members.

Tam said it will be a great thing to have academics from the mainland's top university working in Hong Kong.