The country’s No 2 leader devoted part of his work report on Tuesday to underscoring the importance of “fully, accurately and firmly” implementing the “one country, two systems” governing policy, as well as “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong” and the city’s “high degree of autonomy”.
“We should adhere to the principle of ruling Hong Kong and Macau according to the law, and that Hong Kong and Macau are administered by patriots,” Li said.
The session is part of key annual meetings of the top legislature and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top advisory body, commonly known as the “two sessions”, or Lianghui.
Li pledged Beijing would support Hong Kong and Macau’s economic growth, improve the livelihood of their residents and maintain their long-term prosperity and stability.
“[We support Hong Kong and Macau] to give full play to its own advantages and characteristics, actively participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, and better integrate into the overall development of the country,” he said.
The bay area is a national-level development blueprint that lays out strategies to integrate nine Guangdong provincial cities, alongside Hong Kong and Macau, into an economic powerhouse, as well as an innovation and technology hub.
The plan has appeared in the premier’s work reports since its first inclusion in 2017.
The late Li Keqiang also called on Hong Kong to “further advance” its involvement in the Greater Bay Area initiative last year, rather than this year’s message of active participation.
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu, who also attended the meeting, said on Tuesday that his administration would give full pay to the “power and value” of the “patriots-ruling Hong Kong” principle, unite society and fully develop the economy.
“We will strive to seize the massive opportunities offered by the country’s latest five-year development plan, the bay area blueprint, the Belt and Road Initiative, while actively engaging in the country’s overall development plan and boosting [the city’s] international competitiveness,” he said in a statement.
As it happened: China’s Premier Li Qiang sets GDP target of around 5%
As it happened: China’s Premier Li Qiang sets GDP target of around 5%
Lee added that he was very encouraged by the premier’s support for the city.
Based on Li’s latest report, Rock Chen Chong-nin, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, said he expected the financial hub would have a key role to play in helping the country sail through recent economic challenges.
“Risk exposure, geopolitical tension and property market downturn will still hinder growth. Hong Kong’s role as China’s most internationalised city will only become more important this year,” he said.
