Tourists visit Tsim Sha Tsui in south China's Hong Kong on April 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Leading experts have offered suggestions for Hong Kong’s high-quality development as the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Expert Group held its first meeting on Friday. 

They expressed their confidence in the future growth of Hong Kong, saying they believe the city will be able to make effective use of its advantages to cooperate with the Chinese mainland to achieve high-quality development. 

During the meeting at the government headquarters, the experts discussed issues concerning economic development, social development and research strategies in different sessions

During the meeting at the government headquarters, the experts discussed issues concerning economic development, social development and research strategies in different sessions.

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Stephen Wong Yuen-shan, head of the policy unit, told delegates that the group’s task is to conduct internal, preliminary and forward-looking research on vital economic and social issues and to provide that to the chief executive for reference.

The research focuses on four proposals of the chief executive: assisting in formulating long-term strategic policies, identifying prioritized tasks for Hong Kong to integrate into national development, analyzing opportunities and risks in international situations, and following key issues of concern to the general public.

Wong noted that high-quality development is one of the unit’s core research issues, and is also of vital importance for Hong Kong’s integration into the nation’s development. He said he hopes the first meeting augurs well for the work of the expert group.

Wong added that the opinions of the experts will be considered fully in enriching internal research work. 

He said the policy unit has set up a mechanism, under which each expert will be assigned a senior researcher from the policy unit as a liaison officer, who will interact with the expert on a minimum quarterly basis.

The unit will communicate with the experts over their research findings. The experts will also facilitate the unit to review applications of its policy research funding program, Wong said.

Adam Kwok Kai-fai, executive director of Sun Hung Kai Properties, said the morning session discussion on economic development covered talent acquisition, tax policy, Hong Kong’s status as an international finance center, scientific innovation, and integration into national development.

Kwok said that all members were free to voice their opinions in a relaxed atmosphere, believing that the exchange will inspire valuable suggestions for the future development of Hong Kong. 

Samuel Yung Wing-ki, regional executive director of AIA Group, noted that Hong Kong enjoys good conditions to achieve high-quality development in tandem with the mainland. He said he believes the expert meeting will help the city better leverage its advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being intricately connected to the world.

Peter Kung, chairman of Supreme Genius Consulting, said that the group members are united in their confidence in Hong Kong’s future development.

Kung said he believes that Hong Kong will enjoy even better development by having closer interaction with countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries, and those in the Middle East. 

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Martin Lee Ka-shing, co-chairman of Henderson Land Development, said the discussions were held in a great atmosphere, with the topics covering the short-, medium- and long-term development of finance, retail and other industries in Hong Kong.  

Established on May 30, the expert group comprises 56 members from diverse backgrounds including business, finance, professional, think tanks and academia to provide expert views to the policy unit on assorted topics. The term of the appointments is one year. 

To conduct more focused discussions, the group is organized along three broad streams: the Economic Advancement Expert Group, the Social Development Expert Group and the Research Strategy Expert Group.

Contact the writer at mikegu@chinadailyhk.com