Xi again points way to success
President Xi Jinping highlighted development, human capital and innovation when he joined Guangdong deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress in a panel discussion on Wednesday. In addition to emphasizing economic restructuring, scientific innovation, opening-up and better governance, he also said the central government authorities attach great importance to developing the GuangdongHong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area city cluster. Guangdong NPC deputies, including provincial government leaders, said Xi greatly inspired them. NPC deputies from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were also inspired upon hearing the news. Indeed, his words give Hong Kong further confidence to integrate its own development into the country’s overall strategy, with the Greater Bay Area as a perfect “entry point”.
Xi said the country should attach more importance to development of the real economy and focus on strategic emerging industries such as information technology, high-end manufacturing, biotechnology, new materials and the maritime economy, while eliminating industries and enterprises that generate heavy pollution. This is without question music to Hong Kong residents’ ears, because it means the SAR stands to benefit from such developments when Guangdong, especially Hong Kong’s next-door neighbor Shenzhen, comes up to the SAR’s level of modernization, which means even more “common language” between them in terms of development goals and methods. It will also certainly create more room for high-value cooperation between the regions.
If those words of encouragement are not heartening enough, Xi also reiterated that China welcomes top-notch scientists and technicians from home and abroad, and supports innovations of small and medium-sized enterprises. He added that the country should fully open up, broaden its horizon, boost standards and strengthen its efforts. This means welleducated young people and those with special talents will find more career opportunities not just in Hong Kong but also on the mainland, especially Guangdong. Of course this requires local youths to abandon any possible prejudice against the Chinese mainland.
China, the world’s second-largest economy with a population of nearly 1.4 billion, is advancing toward the goal it has set for itself, along the path it has chosen and nobody, group or country can stop it by any means. For its long-term development and prosperity Hong Kong has no better choice but to take full advantage of the nation’s all-round development by syncing its own development with the nation’s as harmoniously as it can and eventually becoming an organic part of the national economy and benefiting from it. This may not happen any time soon but is no doubt Hong Kong’s destiny.