Dr Jonathan CHOI Koon-shum (Chairman of the 53rd terms of office) April 2023
The “Two Sessions” this year affirmed high-quality development as the first and foremost task in building a modern socialist country in all aspects. This will allow Hong Kong's industrial and business sectors to find new opportunities using their Mainland and overseas networks and connections.
At the closing meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), President Xi Jinping said that the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao is part and parcel of the building of a strong China, emphasizing support for Hong Kong to develop its economy and improve people's livelihood. The “Two Sessions” this year affirmed high-quality development as the first and foremost task in building a modern socialist country in all aspects, stressing that the country will make concrete efforts to advance high-standard opening up. This will allow Hong Kong to give its “super connector” role full play, and the city's industrial and business sectors to find new opportunities using their Mainland and overseas networks and connections.
Leveraging the “One Country, Two Systems” advantage
President Xi’s emphasis on the full, faithful and resolute upholding of the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy has significant meaning to Hong Kong. The establishment of the “Hong Kong and Macao work office of the CPC Central Committee by the State Council” at once elevates the status of Hong Kong and Macao affairs and strengthens the Central Government's unified leadership. Hong Kong can expect even stronger development as long as it leverages the “One Country, Two Systems” advantage, continues to improve the mechanisms and institutions relating to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and dedicates itself to safeguarding national security.
CGCC fully supports the HKSAR Government in exercising effective law-based governance. We will actively guide our members and the business sector to learn and implement the important speech of President Xi and the spirit of the “Two Sessions”, and by capitalizing on opportunities from “One Country, Two Systems”, help Hong Kong businesses integrate into the national development framework.
Seizing opportunities from I&T cooperation
Sci-tech innovation is a decisive factor in advancing the country's high-quality development. The cooperation agreements between the HKSAR Government, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Guangdong provincial government demonstrate the country's full support for deepening sci-tech cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and for turning Hong Kong into an “international innovation and technology (I&T) hub”.
Hong Kong must strengthen I&T cooperation with other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) in an all-round manner, drawing talents and leading corporations to the region through concerted efforts. In addition, Hong Kong's scientific research should be aligned with Mainland industries, its institutions and regulations should be integrated with those in the Mainland, and cross-border industrial structuring and transformation should be coordinated, not to mention support for the national strategy of invigorating the country through science and education. These will not only open up a new path for Hong Kong's own industrial transformation, but also contribute to the country's high-quality development.
CGCC pays close attention to the long-term development of Hong Kong's I&T and related industries. In particular, we strive to promote greater interaction with the Greater Bay Area by reflecting the views and demands of the local business sector through exchanges with the HKSAR Government and Mainland authorities. We also provide our recommendations through the Policy Address and related consultation channels, and proposals to the “Two Sessions”, among other means.
Strengthening connector role
The eight key priorities listed in the 2023 Government Work Report clearly put economic development in the focus, again sending out the important message that the country is making an active effort to expand opening up.
Riding on the Central Government's support for realizing Hong Kong's “eight centers” positioning, Hong Kong must strive to tap into the Mainland consumer market, promote Hong Kong products and services with an edge, explore Mainland product markets that promise potential, and accelerate the creation of domestic sales channels in the Mainland and the expansion of import distribution businesses. Even more so, Hong Kong must assist the Mainland in improving product quality. By leveraging its strengths including extensive networks and familiarity with international regulations, Hong Kong should enhance its function as the portal between the Mainland and other parts of the world, and intensify support for the country to go global and attract foreign investment.
Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government should make active plans to join substantial free-trade agreements such as the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to further raise Hong Kong's level of internationalization. Hong Kong should also work with other Greater Bay Area cities to serve, as a whole, the strategic hub of “dual-circulation”, and to pave way for Mainland businesses to enter the international market.
CGCC has spared no effort in promoting better communication and cooperation between Hong Kong businesses and their Mainland and overseas counterparts, and mobilizing our members’ companies to link up the Mainland and overseas markets. Through such ways as leading business delegations, and organizing exchange tours to the Greater Bay Area for foreign entities including overseas business organizations and consulates, we strive to tell good stories of China, the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong through actions.
