HK called on to get ready for growth role

Vice-Premier Han Zheng on Friday called on Hong Kong to harness its advantages to better position itself to take advantage of the opportunities of the nation's next stage of development.

He spoke in a meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who was in Beijing on the last day of a three-day trip to seek the central government's support in reviving the city's economy, battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Han said the country is formulating its development plan for the next five years, based on proposals made in the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He encouraged Hong Kong to seize opportunities coming with the nation's future development, and give full play to its strengths.

The central government will support all measures that help maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, increase people's well-being and facilitate Hong Kong's integration into the country's development.

Han also spoke highly of the SAR government's performance this year, noting its efforts to control the pandemic, alleviate people's hardships, revive the economy and implement the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

After meeting with Han, Lam said leaders of various central government commissions voiced support for the city's coronavirus controls and economic recovery.

During her three-day visit, Lam and five principal Hong Kong officials met with leaders from six central government ministries in charge of technology, commerce, aviation, health, development and securities regulation.

Lam said she has sought assistance from central government officials in three aspects－containing the pandemic, reviving the economy, and addressing social issues. The central government has welcomed her proposals.

Meanwhile, central government officials also said that they will support Hong Kong's competitiveness and integration into the nation's overall development, as well as technological innovation in the Asian financial hub.

But Lam said she could not disclose substantial details of her meetings.

Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong at the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, told China Daily that Hong Kong can make some new contributions to the nation's next five-year plan using its strengths in talent cultivation.

Tim Lui Tim-leung, chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, said the city can find a better position in the nation's development through deeper financial connections with the mainland, which has taken the lead in economic recovery amid the global recession caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Hong Kong delegation planned to discuss Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation with local officials in Guangzhou and Shenzhen on Saturday.