Government Work Report welcomed as a ‘shot in the arm’ for HK, Macao

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (second row, center) attends the opening meeting of the second annual session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 5, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Premier Li Qiang pledged on Tuesday to support the economic development and improvement of livelihoods in Hong Kong and Macao, while leveraging their distinctive strengths and features to participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Li made the remarks while delivering a report on behalf of the State Council at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing.

These measures aim to ensure that the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions can better integrate themselves into China’s overall development and maintain long-term prosperity and stability, Li said.

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“We will continue to fully, faithfully, and resolutely implement the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao and ensure that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots,” Li told a roomful of national legislators.

The premier also highlighted the country’s support for the GBA as one of the drivers of high-quality development.

Li’s Government Work Report received applause from the chief executives of the SARs and the cities’ deputies to the National People’s Congress.

After attending the opening session, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he was encouraged by the report’s reference to the HKSAR, in which the premier vowed to continue implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong and Macao SARs” and backed the participation of both cities in the development of the Greater Bay Area.

Lee said the HKSAR government, under the leadership and support of the central government, will continue to fully, faithfully and steadfastly implement the “one country, two systems” principle.

He said Hong Kong will continue to give full play to the strengths of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and unite various sectors to develop the economy and improve people’s livelihoods.

He pledged to capitalize on the enormous opportunities created by national initiatives, including the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the Greater Bay Area, and the Belt and Road Initiative, and proactively integrate into the nation’s overall development to strengthen Hong Kong’s international competitiveness.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and is a critical year to fulfill the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan, which is of great significance to the practice of “one country, two systems”, Lee said.

The Government Work Report will be deliberated by the NPC delegations and discussed by members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, including those from Hong Kong, during the two sessions.

Lee said he hopes that the Hong Kong representatives will fulfill their duties and continue to play an active role by putting forward constructive proposals.

Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng, also present at the NPC opening, expressed gratitude to the central government for its continuous care and support for the development and people’s livelihoods of Macao.

Ho stressed that the Macao SAR government and the community will earnestly study and implement the spirit of the two sessions, and strive to open a new chapter of successful practice and steady progress of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics.

With the forthcoming new achievements, he said, the city will welcome this significant year that coincides with the motherland’s 75th anniversary, the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, and the third anniversary of the establishment of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone.

Gordon Lam Chi-wing — a Hong Kong NPC deputy and chairman of the Hong Kong Technology Association — welcomed the central government’s support for the economic development and livelihood improvement in Hong Kong and Macao, adding this is in line with Hong Kong’s crucial stage of advancing toward prosperity.

Speaking to China Daily in Beijing, Lam said that with the nation’s backing, Hong Kong can continue to leverage its development advantages in areas like finance, trade, shipping and technology, and deepen cooperation with other cities in the Greater Bay Area.

He said that the Government Work Report emphasizes key concepts related to technology, such as future industries, science, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence, and Hong Kong should be inspired to pursue technological innovation for high-quality development.

Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, expressed full confidence in the country’s economic prospects following the release of the Government Work Report.

Fok said he appreciated the premier’s promises to introduce more paid leaves and build new growth engines in culture, sports and tourism, which are also high on Fok’s proposals this year.

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As Hong Kong will be co-hosting the 15th National Games with Guangdong province and Macao for the first time next year, Fok said it will be an opportune time to establish a coordination and communication mechanism to enable more sports events to be co-hosted using the name of the Greater Bay Area, and maximize Hong Kong’s role as a bridge to promote the events economy.

Referring to the work report’s emphasis on the development of the Greater Bay Area, Allen Yeung Tak-bun, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, proposed strengthening the flow of talent, logistics, capital and information in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone — a science park jointly developed by Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Macao NPC deputy Ng Siu-lai described the report as “pragmatic and highly feasible”. The report provides a detailed analysis of the international and domestic situations, and sets a steady and pragmatic economic growth target for this year, she said.

Ng said she is confident in the country’s work in the coming year, and believes that Macao should capitalize on the advantages of “one country, two systems” and seize the development opportunities in the GBA, especially by proactively promoting the development of the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin.

Also describing the Government Work Report as both “pragmatic” and “proactive”, Henry Tang Ying-yen, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the nation’s top political advisory body, said the country’s fundamental positive trends have never changed, giving him full confidence in achieving the target economic growth of around 5 percent this year.

Regarding local matters, Tang, who is also Hong Kong’s former financial secretary, emphasized that the special administrative region should exploit its unique strengths as a global financial hub, including serving as a platform for the country to issue sovereign bonds.

Contact the writers at lindaxi@chinadailyhk.com