Luo Huining (second right), director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and other guests attend a sharing session on the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Conrad Hong Kong on Nov 17, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
With the “one country, two systems” principle as Hong Kong’s greatest advantage, the city’s participation in the nation’s new journey to build a modern socialist country will create tremendous development opportunities, the central government’s liaison office head in Hong Kong said on Thursday.
He added that the next five years will not only be of crucial importance for the country, but also for Hong Kong as it opens a new chapter and makes new leaps forward.
Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made the remarks at a session on Thursday for various sectors to share their understanding of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, made the remarks at a session on Thursday for various sectors to share their understanding of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
The event, which was held both online and offline, was co-organized by 40 social groups, including political parties, business associations and education and youth groups. Over 160 representatives attended the session at the main venue.
Luo said that recently, the Hong Kong government and local communities have been actively studying and promoting the essence of the Party congress. Their focus included the congress’ impact on China and the world, the expounding of “one country, two systems”, and also, the fresh opportunities offered to Hong Kong.
The official said that many opportunities lie in the nation’s major policies related to Hong Kong. Since July 1, the central government has launched a series of new policies to support the city’s financial and legal sectors’ development and to strengthen its economic ties with the Chinese mainland.
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These include the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advance the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office in Hong Kong, and the launch of Swap Connect, a new initiative for mutual access between interest rate swap markets in Hong Kong and the mainland.
In recent months, the city has also witnessed many significant developments, such as the breakthrough initiatives launched in the new government’s first Policy Address, the pioneering policy statement on virtual assets development, and the launch of various high-end international activities like Hong Kong Legal Week and the Hong Kong Sevens.
Noting the high attendance of international business leaders at the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit in November, Luo said the international community has full confidence in China’s future and the development prospects of “one country, two systems”.
Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, speaks at the sharing session on the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Conrad Hong Kong on Nov 17, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
For the correct implementation of “one country, two systems” in the long run, he stressed that all Hong Kong residents should respect and safeguard the CPC’s leadership, as well as the nation’s fundamental institutions and the HKSAR’s constitutional order.
During the event, leaders from many sectors also shared their understanding of the Party congress, and advised on how to accelerate the city’s development by putting the opportunities presented at the congress to full use.
Tam Yiu-chung, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said Chinese people are more confident than at any other time in history about achieving the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Advancing the implementation of “one country, two systems” is a vital part of that goal, and greater efforts must be made to uphold the principle, he added.
Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said that in order to seize the chances stemming from the Party congress, Hong Kong should attach greater importance to its business advantages and conduct more extensive cooperation with international communities.
Tam Yiu-chung, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attends a sharing session on the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Conrad Hong Kong on Nov 17, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Local business sectors should fully facilitate the Hong Kong government in further boosting the city’s competitiveness, by offering high-quality financial services, contributing to the nation’s dual circulation strategy, and advancing the grand plan for the Northern Metropolis, which will be a new engine for the city’s economic development, Choi said.
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Stanley Ng Chau-pei, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, suggested that political and social groups in the city should work in solidarity to support the SAR government. He said he believes that the collective wisdom and efforts from social groups could help the government to take more effective measures to enhance the well-being of Hong Kong people.
Nancy Ip Yuk-yu, president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said that as one of the most internationalized cities in China, the HKSAR can play an essential role in importing advanced technologies from overseas while helping cutting-edge Chinese industries go global.
She said Hong Kong could also be a hub for attracting and cultivating science and technology talents from the Chinese mainland and other regions, adding that the establishment of HKUST's Guangzhou campus is one of the latest initiatives to serve that goal.
Luo shared his insights on Wednesday at a similar session, which was also organized by the Hong Kong government, to study the key points of the Party congress. A total of 120 government officials, lawmakers and social dignitaries attended the event.
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William Xu contributed to the story