Lam ‘most impressed’ by strong support
The central government’s profound support for the special administrative region in the past year has most impressed Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Hong Kong’s leader said in an interview with the Chinese-language Bauhinia Magazine.
The series of speeches made by President Xi Jinping on an inspection visit to the city last July illustrated the central government’s strong assistance, Lam said.
The central government’s support could also be seen in its efforts to back Hong Kong’s participation in different national development blueprints, including the Belt and Road Initiative and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Lam added.
Xi made a three-day inspection tour of Hong Kong last July to attend the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the city’s return to the motherland and the inauguration of the fifth-term SAR government. During the trip, Xi reaffirmed his continuous support for Hong Kong.
Since then, the city has reaped more benefits in various areas — including signing a series of agreements with the Chinese mainland to integrate into the nation’s development.
The Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of the Bay Area and the Arrangement between the National Development and Reform Commission and Hong Kong SAR Government on advancing Hong Kong’s full participation in and contribution to the B&R Initiative are among the fruitful outcomes.
Recalling the city’s overall performance after she assumed office last July, Lam said the SAR has also done a remarkable job in boosting its economy.
The city’s No 1 official said Hong Kong’s GDP grew 3.8 percent last year and a 4.7-percent year-on-year growth was seen in the first quarter this year.
She said in the past year the SAR government spared no effort in promoting Hong Kong to overseas markets by establishing business and trade offices outside the city and striving to conclude more regional and bilateral trade agreements.
Looking forward, Lam said she was optimistic about the city’s prospects under the “one country, two systems” principle.
She attributed her confidence to the central government’s support, the opportunities brought by the country’s deepening reform and opening-up, as well as the launch of three significant cross-boundary infrastructure projects this year. These are: the Hong Kong-ZhuhaiMacao Bridge, Hong Kong section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point project.
She said the SAR government would continue to fully and accurately implement the “one country, two systems” principle and unswervingly oppose any advocacy of “Hong Kong independence”.
The government would adopt a pragmatic and bold approach to tackling difficulties and leading the city forward, Lam concluded.