Beijing has conducted research into encouraging young Hongkongers to better integrate into China’s broader development, the chairman of the country’s top political advisory body has said, adding “systematic deficiencies” existed in comprehensive studies carried out at the national level.
Wang Huning, a long-time aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was delivering his first work report as chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee at the opening of its annual session on Monday in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Wang, known as the ideology chief of the Chinese Communist Party, pointed to “systematic deficiencies” in comprehensive studies and consultation.
“[We] conducted research on encouraging Hong Kong and Macau youths to better integrate into the national development,” he said. “[We] organised thematic inspections to deepen exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland.”
Greater Bay Area on the agenda for ‘two sessions’; Hong Kong delegates head to Beijing
Greater Bay Area on the agenda for ‘two sessions’; Hong Kong delegates head to Beijing
Wang also highlighted the need to improve the mechanism of communicating with the city’s CPPCC members.
The CPPCC chairman’s mention of Hong Kong was more brief than that delivered by his predecessor Wang Yang, and the top official on Monday did not touch on the financial hub when outlining the advisory body’s major work for the year ahead.
Last year, Wang Yang urged “patriotic forces” in Hong Kong to be more vocal about supporting the Beijing-imposed national security law.
The annual opening session was attended by Xi and thousands of political elites. Attention was drawn to the seating location of Zhang Xiaoming, who previously oversaw Hong Kong affairs and was recently removed as deputy secretary general of the CPPCC.
According to live footage shown by state broadcaster CCTV, Zhang was sitting in the presidium together with other standing committee members of the advisory body, signalling that he remained one of them despite stepping down from the key post.
Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings, Adam Kwok Kai-fai, executive director at Sun Hung Kai Properties, and Pansy Ho Chiu-king, managing director of Shun Tak Holdings are CPPCC members.
‘Two sessions’ delegates push to keep Hong Kong unique, help mainland firms
‘Two sessions’ delegates push to keep Hong Kong unique, help mainland firms
On Monday, Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu began a three-day visit to Beijing, which began with meeting officials with the Ministry of Finance.
The chief executive also oversaw the signing of agreements between the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the National Health Commission and the Health Bureau. The deals aimed to strengthen the training of healthcare talent and the prevention of communicable diseases.
In the evening, Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, met the city’s delegates to the National People’s Congress and delivered his expectations for the financial hub.
