Leung Chun- yin g : Makin g New Contributions to both Hong Kong and the Country
Over the past 20 years, the principle of “one country, two systems” has been successfully implemented in Hong Kong. One reason for this is that the principle itself is scientific and pragmatic. At the same time, in the process of implementing it, the Central Government has given a great deal of support to Hong Kong.
However, it is normal for new situations and new problems to emerge in the process. To ensure that the principle is fully implemented, it is essential to implement it in strict accordance with the Basic Law. That means that the whole society, including different social strata and sectors, political parties and [government] working staff must comprehensively and correctly understand the Basic Law. We should not only follow the provisions of the Basic Law, but also understand the original intentions of the provisions.
Hong Kong’s economy and society have grown further since returning to the motherland. At the same time, as our country developed rapidly, the functions and roles of Hong Kong have been constantly changing too. We should take the initiative to adjust ourselves to adapt to the new environment.
Now, under the Belt and Road Initiative, as the most internationalized city in our country, Hong Kong can play a better role. When participating in the Belt and Road development, we must consider what the country needs and what Hong Kong is good at.
Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong has double advantages. In the past, we acted as a connector between the mainland and foreign countries in trade and capital flows. In recent years, we have found and proved that Hong Kong can also act as a connector between the mainland and foreign countries in terms of innovation and technology.
In the past five years, Hong Kong has attracted many top international science and research institutions to settle in the city. They came to Hong Kong with an eye on future opportunities to cooperate with the country. So we should continue to adjust Hong Kong’s functions in various periods and continuously contribute to national development.
Hong Kong has already developed sound economic and trade relations with countries along the Belt and Road. Next, we are going to step up our efforts. Hong Kong and mainland companies are complementary when “going global.” For instance, mainland companies are very competitive internationally in building cost-effective infrastructure, while Hong Kong is relatively better at managing these facilities, which has been acknowledged on the Chinese mainland as well as in the international community. Thus, the strengths of Hong Kong and the mainland can be combined in exploring overseas markets.
Over the past 30 years, the mainland’s reform and opening up has added a wing to Hong Kong. Now we have another wing—the development scheme of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong is highly internationalized, and finance, trade and professional services are its strengths. Hong Kong can cooperate well with the mainland.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology decided to set up its first innovation center outside of the United States in Hong Kong. Why did it choose Hong Kong? Because Hong Kong enjoys the benefit of “one country” and the advantage of “two systems.” Hong Kong can serve as the place to carry out innovation, while initial production can be carried out in Shenzhen, and mass production can be carried out in other parts of the Pearl River Delta. Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area are strongly complementary. They should coordinate planning, not only planning of facilities and land use, but also economic and social development. I think this is very important.
The Greater Bay Area offers big room for economic and social development in Hong Kong. Now, more and more Hong Kong people are working and living in the Greater Bay Area, including the retired. I once led a delegation to a city in the west part of the Greater Bay Area for a three-day visit. We shared the view that remarkable progress has been made there, not only in infrastructure, but also in social management including traffic, hygiene and health. The development level is already very high. The Greater Bay Area is very attractive to Hong Kong.
As long as Hong Kong can seize the opportunities brought by the two important initiatives,