HK, Macao figures say work report lays out path for SARs

Prominent figures and industry representatives from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions said the Government Work Report submitted by Premier Li Keqiang at the opening of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, which demonstrated care for the two cities, has shown the path for the regions to align their development with that of the rest of the nation.

On Sunday, Li delivered the work report, which said the central government will continue to fully, faithfully implement "one country, two systems" and summed up the progress made in Hong Kong and Macao affairs.

In a social media post following the report, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Chan Mo-po said that the country's development priorities, which were pointed out in Li's report, will also be Hong Kong's focus this year.

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong member to the Standing Committee of the NPC, said that Li's report noted that the central government will protect the rights of private enterprises and entrepreneurs in accordance with the law, which is an encouraging call for Hong Kong business people to invest in the Chinese mainland and contribute to the country.

In a statement, Hong Kong Coalition, founded by 1,500 social dignitaries from all sectors of the society in Hong Kong, said that Li's report has pointed out the direction forward for the nation's development, especially when he highlighted expanding domestic demand, developing the digital economy and platform economy, supporting the development of private enterprises, and continuously attracting and utilizing foreign investment. Hong Kong should seize these opportunities in the Chinese path to modernization and align its development with the nation's development.

Nancy Ip Yuk-yu, a Hong Kong deputy to the 14th NPC and the president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said that she was deeply encouraged by the central government's support of technology and innovation, hoping Hong Kong can contribute more to help the country achieve a stronger educational system, with greater technological strength.

Another Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, who represents the Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication Functional Constituency in Hong Kong's Legislative Council, believed that the city can make good use of the principle of "one country, two systems", to play a greater role in exporting cultural soft power.

Tan Yueheng, the chairman of BOCOM International Holdings and a Hong Kong member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that to contribute to the country, Hong Kong can develop key projects such as the Northern Metropolis and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, give full play to its advantages as an international financial center, and improve its fin-tech system.

Chui Sai-peng, a Macao deputy to the NPC and president of the Association for Promotion of Science and Technology of Macao, said that the central government has developed many preferential policies for Hong Kong and Macao to help them integrate into the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This reflected the great importance the central government attaches to the two SARs, Chui said.

Wu Zhiliang, chairman of the Executive Committee of Macao Foundation and a Macao member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, said that he could see the central government has done a lot of work improving the implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems", reflecting the central government's care for Hong Kong and Macao.

Li's report was also warmly welcomed by young people from Hong Kong and Macao. In Hong Kong, more than 80 representatives of youth groups gathered on Hong Kong Island to watch the livestream of the opening session and share their thoughts on Sunday.

Attending the event, Albert Chuang Ka-pun, the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong CPPCC Youth Association, said that Hong Kong young people can better understand the latest opportunities and the country's development direction from Li's report, which will help them to make better plans for their future.

This year over 200 political heavyweights from Hong Kong and Macao — including the two cities' chief executives, deputies to the National People's Congress, and members of the National Committee of the CPPCC — are attending the annual gatherings of the nation's top legislative body and top political advisory body in Beijing.