Editorial | Way ahead is clear for Hong Kong under Beijing’s new development blueprint
The city should focus on developing hi-tech industries, step up efforts to attract global talent and strengthen collaboration with top universities
High-quality development is by no means just a buzzword when China charts its economic and social growth strategies in the next five years. It became the guiding principle for the state as well as Hong Kong’s next stage of advancement after Beijing set the tone for policymaking at the fourth plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee.
“The city should focus on developing cutting-edge technology that answers the country’s needs, such as artificial intelligence, life science, new energy and new materials … and collaborate with Guangdong in turning research results into productivity,” Hou said.
Zhu Weidong, deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, said Beijing’s policy support for Hong Kong would be “stronger and broader in scope”. This includes maintaining the city’s unique status and advantages, consolidating its position as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, upholding a free, open and regulated business environment and expanding smooth international connections.
The deployment of senior mainland officials to elaborate on the way forward is as symbolic as it is pragmatic. It underlines the importance Beijing attaches to the city and helps pave the way for more concrete strategies and actions by the government and different sectors to foster development for mutual benefit.
According to Zhou Ji, the central government liaison office director, it is the ideal time to forge ahead after the city has filled the gaps in national security and implemented the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”. He also urged the city to play to the strengths of the “one country, two systems” principle and utilise its advantages in connecting the country and the world to achieve greater success.