UPDATE - President Xi tells Hong Kong, Macao to align with China’s 15th 5-year plan

UPDATES WITH ADDITIONAL REMARKS BY XI; CHANGES TO HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday told Hong Kong and Macao to align with China’s 15th 5-year plan, according to state media.

Xi Jinping met with the chief executives of Hong Kong and Macao in Beijing to discuss the affairs of the two special administrative regions, according to Xinhua News.

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu briefed the president on the city’s current situation and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

During the meeting, Xi called on the Hong Kong government to align actively with the national 15th five-year plan, uphold and improve its executive-led government, and promote high-quality economic development.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997 under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework.

Xi also met Macao’s Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai, where Sam briefed the president on Macao’s current situation and the work of the Macao Special Administrative Region government, Xinhua said.

The Chinese president told Sam that the Macao government should align with the 15th five-year plan, and solidly advance efforts to appropriately diversify Macao's economic development.

Macao, a former Portuguese colony, was returned to China in 1999 and became a special administrative region under the same framework.

Last week, Xi chaired the Central Economic Work Conference in Beijing, where the Chinese leaders discussed the goals and tasks for economic and social development of China's 15th five-year plan for the 2026-2030 period.