Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po speaks at the seminar "challenges of financial security and cyber security and counter measures" at the National Security Education Day, April 15, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
Hong Kong is showered with golden development opportunities through its renewed strengths as a regional hub, says Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.
Writing in his Sunday blog, he said he had briefed Chinese mainland officials on the special administrative region’s latest economic and financial situation during his visit to Beijing last week, as well as the milestones achieved and future priorities in the SAR's development of science and technology innovation.
Since the full resumption of cross-boundary travel and activities, delegations from various mainland provinces and cities have visited Hong Kong many times to strengthen exchanges and attract investments
“Despite the setbacks caused by COVID-19, the central government has been following closely developments in Hong Kong, and is striving to provide more support and beef up cooperation to better leverage the city’s unique advantages in its advancement,” Chan said.
Since the full resumption of cross-boundary travel and activities, delegations from various mainland provinces and cities have visited Hong Kong many times to strengthen exchanges and attract investments.
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SAR officials have also been touring the mainland and exploring overseas markets, hoping to ride on the growth momentum and economic recovery opportunities, promoting enterprises’ investments, and recruiting talents for the benefit of the public, he said.
Chan noted that Hong Kong has set its targets of doubling the proportion of its total expenditure on research and development, and raising that of the manufacturing industry to 5 percent of the city’s gross domestic product within the next decade. The SAR will go all out to turn itself into an international financial center on all fronts, and propel the development of new industrialization with science and technology.
In the new era, the three key areas for Hong Kong to achieve high-quality development are the digital economy, Web 3.0 and building a global green technology and green financial hub, Chan said.
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The financial secretary and his delegation went on a four-day tour of Beijing last week for the first time since the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the mainland. He held in-depth discussions with officials of more than a dozen ministries and institutions, including the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission. The delegation also had warm and friendly exchanges with students, faculty staff and alumni of Peking University.
At the world-renowned university, Chan gave students a comprehensive introduction to Hong Kong in terms of the city’s beauty, cuisine, cultural and artistic activities, as well as social security. The students showed keen interest in the SAR and its policies to attract talents.