Dr Jonathan CHOI Koon-shum (Chairman of the 50th terms of office) September 2017
We hope that the Policy Address will strengthen the growth of industries and introduce new elements to achieve the diversified development of Hong Kong’s economy and society.
Next month, the Chief Executive will deliver her first Policy Address since taking office. We hope that it will adopt a broader perspective in planning the new direction of Hong Kong’s future progress and inspire the industrial and business communities to fully support the country’s newest advancement. We also hope that it will strengthen the growth of industries and introduce new elements to achieve the diversified development of the Hong Kong’s economy and society.
Actively participate in “Belt and Road Initiative”
Hong Kong is an important bridge connecting Mainland and overseas financial markets. The Policy Address may seek to promote cooperation between Hong Kong’s industrial and business communities and the Silk Road Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank BRICS, so as to cement Hong Kong’s status as the project financing center for the “Belt and Road Initiative”. The administration may also further promote connections with Mainland financial markets to provide a new investment value-added pipeline for offshore RMB along “Belt and Road”.
“Belt and Road” will involve many large-scale infrastructure investments, and the capacity of Hong Kong businesses in general may not be large enough to participate. The SAR Government could help our business community to understand those local markets more systematically and introduce targeted policies and support measures that capitalize on Hong Kong’s strengths.
Implement measures in Greater Bay Area to give people more convenience
Moreover, Hong Kong could play a more proactive role in promoting development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. CGCC has put forward many proposals all along for deepening cooperative development in the Greater Bay Area and strengthening Hong Kong’s role therein, including striving for fully open policies in the Bay Area and the establishment of a “Coordination Committee” to promote the Area’s complementary industrial advantages so as to achieve maximum synergies.
We believe that, to optimize Hong Kong’s advantages and functions within the Greater Bay Area in the long-term, the foremost requirement is to create closer ties between the people of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The SAR Government needs to strive to improve communication with the Guangdong and Macau governments and facilitate dealings between the citizens of each place. In the long run, the SAR Government may even pursue the treatment of Hong Kongers as Mainland citizens in the Greater Bay Area and explore a system of “Hong Kong tax for Hong Kong people” to incentivize Hong Kongers, especially those with high-end skills, to work in other parts of the Bay Area.
Increase support for industries
We also hope that the Policy Address will meaningfully strengthen the resources invested in innovation and technology, as well as provide more financial support and optimize human resources policies to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's industries. The SAR Government can play a more dominant role in promoting Hong Kong’s innovation and technology industries and strengthen cooperation with similar industries in the Pearl River Delta.
We also hope that the Policy Address will meaningfully strengthen the resources invested in innovation and technology, as well as provide more financial support and optimize human resources policies to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's industries. The SAR Government can play a more dominant role in promoting Hong Kong’s innovation and technology industries and strengthen cooperation with similar industries in the Pearl River Delta.
We also recommend that the SAR Government set up a “Human Resources Planning Committee” to look at long-term demands and changes of Hong Kong’s labour force, appropriately import foreign workers, and create comprehensive plans for training local personnel, attracting overseas professionals and setting criteria for quality migrants, all of which would greatly boost the long-term competitiveness of the Hong Kong workforce.
In conclusion, CGCC hopes that the Chief Executive and the new SAR Government will bring new approaches and innovative ideas to bear on leading Hong Kong’s response to changes in its economic environment, strengthening the advantages and competitiveness of Hong Kong's industries, and cooperatively meeting new challenges and seizing new opportunities.
