When receiving the Chamber’s delegation to Beijing, Zhang Dejiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said that all walks of life in Hong Kong should capture the opportunities arising from the economic development. He also expressed hope that the Chamber continues the tradition of loving the country and Hong Kong and unites the industrial and business community to drive the economy up to another level.
Last month, the Chamber’s high-level delegation to Beijing led by the Chamber’s Chairman Jonathan Choi was received by Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. After listening to the Chamber’s latest developments, Zhang expressed his hope that the Chamber will continue the tradition of loving the country and Hong Kong, support the new Chief Executive and the HKSAR Government in administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law, and persist in uniting the industrial and business community as well as all walks of life in society to focus on promoting the economy. He believes that Hong Kong society at large is currently looking forward to further accelerating development and improving people’s livelihood. This is the mainstream public opinion in Hong Kong and also the key task for Hong Kong’s future.
Capture opportunities as Central Government values Hong Kong
Zhang said that since Hong Kong’s reunification with the Motherland two decades ago, with the Central Government’s tremendous support, the HKSAR Government has united and led Hong Kong’s communities to conscientiously implement “One Country, Two Systems” and the Basic Law to properly deal with various challenges, thus maintaining a favourable situation characterized by prosperity and stability. The successful implementation of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong has made remarkable achievements that attract worldwide attention and gain wide recognition in the international community.
Zhang pointed out that as currently Hong Kong society is generally peaceful and orderly, seeking stability, promoting unity and pursuing development have become the mainstream public opinion. The Central Government has always attached great importance to and cared about Hong Kong’s development. As the country’s “economic express train” moves forward at high speed, it has reserved a VIP seat for Hong Kong to get on board at any time. In recent years, the 13th Five-Year Plan, the “Belt and Road” initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area have taken into account Hong Kong’s position, especially Hong Kong’s important role as a “super connector”. He hopes Hong Kong society further reaches consensus and captures the opportunities to actively align with the country’s development initiatives such as “Belt and Road” to achieve better development of its own and create new brilliance.
Continue to support HKSAR Government
Zhang gave the Chamber a high degree of recognition for its long-standing efforts to push through the country’s reform and opening-up and promote Hong Kong’s economy. He stressed that economic development is Hong Kong’s topmost priority as a good economy will naturally improve people’s livelihood and reduce public grievances. He hopes the Chamber will continue to promote the glorious tradition of loving the country and Hong Kong, firmly support the Chief Executive and the HKSAR Government in administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law, and persist in uniting the industrial and business community as well as all walks of life in society to arrive at social consensus, and combine the country’s development trends with its own strengths to focus on driving the economy up to another level.
Participants of the meeting also include Sun Chunlan, Head of the Central United Front Work Department; Wang Guangya, Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office; Zhang Xiaoming, Director of the Liaison Office; Zhang Yijiong, Executive Deputy Head of the Central United Front Work Department; and Yin Xiaojing, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office.
The Chamber will continue to play to its strengths for China and the SAR
At the meeting, Choi thanked the Central Government leaders for recognizing and supporting the Chamber’s work over the years. He said that the Chamber will resolutely uphold its fine tradition of loving the country and Hong Kong, as well as continue to support the new Chief Executive in administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law. The Chamber will also actively work with the country's “Belt and Road” development initiative and cooperate with various major business associations in the Mainland. An example is joining the Belt & Road Industrial and Commercial Alliance, which helps Hong Kong’s industrial and business community to explore “Belt and Road” possibilities with the Mainland’s enterprises by hosting forums and study missions in the regions along the routes.
While talking about the Chamber’s related work in promoting cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, Life Honorary Chairman Ian Fok expressed hope that the Central Government will support the governments of Hong Kong and Macau in providing financial assistance and implementing coherent policies, as well as explore the possibility of establishing a coordination committee for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area to formulate concrete policies and measures. Mentioning words and deeds like the Legco oath-taking row and the advocacy of Hong Hong Independence, Life Honorary Chairman Charles Yeung said that they have brutally violated China’s constitution and Hong Kong’s Basic Law, and therefore it was absolutely appropriate and necessary that the NPC Standing Committee took the initiative in interpreting the Basic Law. In addition, Vice-chairman Yuen Mo briefed the leaders on the Chamber’s work in promoting youth training and national education in Hong Kong; Vice-chairman Lam Shu-chit also analyzed how emerging sectors such as the cultural and creative industries and the innovation and technology industry could offer the younger generation opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship, which is of crucial importance to achieving social harmony and stability.
The delegation was headed by Jonathan Choi; with Yin Xiaojing acting as honorary consultant; Ian Fok and Charles Yang as honorary leaders; Guo Hengbin, Deputy Director-General of the Coordination Department of the Liaison Office, as consultant; Vice-chairmen Yuen Mo, Lam Shu-chit, Ricky Tsang, Wong Kwok-keung, Brandon Liu, Connie Wong, Tommy Li and Johnny Yu as vice leaders; and Life Honorary Chairman Lam Ming-sum as honorary vice leader.
