China’s grip tightens with controversial appointment

China named an official previously known for tearing crosses from the roofs of churches to lead the agency that oversees Hong Kong, in the biggest shakeup yet after months of unrest.

Xia Baolong, 67, the vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, will replace Zhang Xiaoming as director of the Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office, the State Council said yesterday. Xia is a former close aide to President Xi Jinping who served as Communist Party chief of Zhejiang province during a crackdown on Christian churches several years ago.

The move follows last month’s appointment of Luo Huining, a cadre known for executing Xi’s anticorruption campaign, as head of China’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong. The statement announcing Xia’s new title also made clear for the first time that the chief liaison reports directly to the Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office. Zhang will become a vice director in charge of “routine work”.

“The reshuffling at this interesting moment may point to a deep distrust from Xi Jinping toward the former faction dealing with Hong Kong affairs,” said Sonny Lo, a Hong Kong-based academic and political commentator.

“It’s clear that Xi Jinping wants to have a clear grasp of the situation in Hong Kong — that’s the major point,” Lo added. “We’ll probably see some adjustment in Chinese policy toward Hong Kong.”

The appointment of such a senior official potentially indicates a permanent overhaul in how Beijing manages the former British colony. The Communist Party issued a communique late last year signalling greater intervention in everything from education in Hong Kong to how the city picks its leader.

Xia’s push in 2014 and 2015 to tear down crosses on the roofs of churches in the eastern province of Zhejiang was widely criticised by the international community. He was subsequently appointed to a leadership role on the CPPCC, the nation’s political advisory body and a post usually seen as a transition toward retirement for senior leaders.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam welcomed Xia’s appointment, adding that it showed “the central government attaches importance to Hong Kong and Macau affairs”.

Xia’s appointment came as much of the region was focused on China’s sudden replacement of top officials in virus-stricken Hubei. On Thursday, China announced it was replacing Jiang Chaoliang, the party’s Hubei secretary.