Two sessions boost confidence in future development

The 2019 two sessions, which concluded last week, has strengthened Hong Kong’s confidence in its future development, deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference said on Tuesday.

The deputies and members made these comments while sharing their thoughts on the State Council’s annual Government Work Report.

They reiterated that the central government attaches great importance to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. They also stressed their confidence in Hong Kong and Macao seizing major opportunities arising from it.

Zhu Wen, director-general of the Coordination Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the Bay Area provided Hong Kong with a larger market. It therefore created a new impetus for the city to achieve further prosperity.

He also noted that the Bay Area would bring more than just economic benefits — it would also enhance Hong Kong people’s livelihoods. He cited as examples central government policies which would make it more convenient for Hong Kong people to live, study and work on the mainland.

Zhu made these remarks at a sharing session held by the Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations.

Joining Zhu at the event was Tam Yiu-chung — Hong Kong’s sole member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. He said the Bay Area had demonstrated the central government’s concern for Hong Kong — and it had given the city another chance to thrive.

Tam said the first opportunity offered to Hong Kong had been the country’s reform and opening-up policy, whose 40th anniversary was widely celebrated last year.

Despite great advantages, such as a free economy and sound legal system, Hong Kong still faced challenges in regard to Bay Area development.

He advised careful study of more measures to make Hong Kong better integrate into the country’s overall development.

In addition to the Bay Area, participants at the event also shared their thoughts on opportunities for young people.

They cited Vice-Premier Han Zheng’s remarks on the SAR’s youth made while meeting Hong Kong NPC deputies at a closed door meeting during two sessions.

Han said the younger generation would be the major driving force in the development of both the SAR and the nation. He said Hong Kong NPC deputies should listen to the younger generation and encourage them to participate in the country’s overall development.

Property tycoon Hui Wing-mau, who is also a Hong Kong member to the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, said the nation has great expectations for Hong Kong’s young people. He hopes they can progress and share in the nation’s future success.

Hui said he would strive to provide more internships and exchange programs for Hong Kong youth to visit the mainland. This would help them better appreciate the Bay Area development and maximize the opportunities it creates.