Xia, who oversees all Hong Kong and Macao affairs, met all 90 lawmakers in a closed-door meeting this morning before they attended a lunch banquet.

Xia was also accompanied by chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu and the Chinese liaison office’s director Zheng Yanxiong.

Sources said the closed-door meeting was started by a welcome message delivered by LegCo president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen.

The floor was then given to lawmakers including Starry Lee Wai-king, a member of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress, and New People’s Party chairwoman and Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, followed by others.

It was understood that Xia said it was his first time to visit the LegCo and he had been longing for this visit.

He also described their conversations today between an official from the Central Government and legislators from the LegCo as “historic.”

He reminded councilors to support the government’s administration and to refrain from attention-seeking filibustering.

“Do not mistake opposition for democracy,” Xia was also quoted saying so, as he said democracy can be compromised and gave mainland China as an example.

Xia continued that what matters the most is for the city to find a path that benefits all citizens.

Xia added that the chaotic scenes in the LegCo over the past few years can never happen again, calling on lawmakers to unite.