Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs will be restructured into a higher-level outfit reporting directly to the Communist Party’s central leadership in a move seen as a de facto promotion for the body and underscoring the city’s importance to the country’s overall development plans.

Sources familiar with the shake-up said Xia Baolong, director of the present Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), would stay on as head of the new body to continue to supervise and implement the restructuring over the transitional period.

Confirming an earlier Post report, Thursday’s announcement came just three days after China concluded its annual meetings of the legislature and top political advisory body.