Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged on Thursday to renew efforts to deepen the city’s international exchanges and cooperation as a “super-connector”, in alignment with the national blueprint outlined in this year's Government Work Report.

In a post on social media, Lee shared his thoughts after hearing the report delivered by Premier Li Qiang in the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Lee said that it was an honor to attend the opening ceremony and he had found Li’s report inspiring.

For the first time, the report highlighted the role of Hong Kong and Macao in continuous efforts to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, Lee said.

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This has been one of his top priorities since he took office, he noted.

Lee has visited Middle Eastern and ASEAN countries since taking office, signing over 100 memorandums and related agreements.

Amid profound shifts in both domestic and international landscapes, Lee affirmed that Hong Kong, as a vital “super-connector” and “super value-adder,” will deepen external exchanges and cooperation, vigorously explore new markets, actively pursue membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and play a distinctive role in advancing the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“2025 marks the final year of the nation’s 14th Five-Year plan and the beginning of mapping out the next five year plan… The Government Work Report, serving as a barometer for the nation’s economic development, not only sets key economic indicators such as the annual economic growth target, fiscal policy, and monetary policy, providing guidance for the year’s economic work, but also signals the direction of policy development. It holds significant guiding importance for the practice of ‘one country, two systems’ as well,” Lee said.

Looking forward, Lee emphasized the importance of aligning the city with the national development strategy and leveraging the advantages of the “one country, two systems” framework.

While actively integrating into the national development framework, he said Hong Kong should leverage its unique strengths to support the country’s new productive forces and expand high-level opening up.

In particular, Lee noted that this year’s report introduced some new terms, such as embodied intelligence, which refers to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with physical systems to enhance human-machine interactions and capabilities, 6G, and unicorn companies.

He highlighted the need to accelerate the development of an international innovation and technology center, further solidify and enhance the city’s status as an international financial, shipping, and trade hub, nurture talent aligned with local needs, and promote the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Regarding governance, Lee emphasized the need to continue comprehensively and accurately implementing the principles of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong, and pledging a united effort from all sectors to deepen reforms, promote economic development, and enhance livelihoods.

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In his latest policy address, Lee introduced over 600 policy measures aimed at comprehensively deepening reforms across various sectors, including economic development, livelihood improvement, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Lee said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will continue to work with all sectors to implement the spirit of the two sessions, including nurturing high-end local talent, consolidating and enhancing the city’s status as an international financial, shipping, and trade hub, and maintaining its role as a “super-connector”.

Lee reiterated Hong Kong’s dedication to national rejuvenation and extended his fervent wishes for the successful conclusion of the ongoing two sessions.

Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com