Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macau affairs, will visit Hong Kong on Tuesday and Wednesday. The visit focuses on evaluating the city’s adherence to China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, a national economic and social development blueprint. A key aspect of the inspection will be the progress of the Northern Metropolis project, a large-scale development initiative in the New Territories aimed at creating a technology and innovation hub. Baolong’s role as director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office underscores the central government’s direct involvement in Hong Kong’s development. This visit signals Beijing’s continued scrutiny of Hong Kong’s implementation of national policies and its strategic direction. The inspection is expected to provide further clarity on Beijing’s expectations for the city’s future.