Upon the invitation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, with the approval of the Central People's Government, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council invited the member of the publicity delegation, the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mr. Hou Jianguo, and the member of the publicity delegation, the Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and the Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Affairs, CPC, Mr. Zhu Weidong, to visit HK to speak on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee).
The HKSAR Government yesterday (Nov. 24) held the first seminar on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee at the Central Government Offices. The Chief Executive, Mr. John Lee, and the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr. Zhou Ji, delivered speeches at the seminar.
Lee later met the media and expressed his heartfelt thanks for the central government's high regard and strong support. He also shared three key takeaways. The second seminar was held today (Nov. 25) at 9:30 a.m., broadcast live on RTHK and the government website.
The session was attended by approximately 500 people, including Lee, SAR government officials, Executive Council members, Legislative Council members, representatives of the judiciary, and heads of major statutory bodies. Hou and Zhu delivered explanatory speeches, elaborating on the spirit of the plenum and the main content and significance of the "Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development". They also answered questions from attendees. Lee gave concluding remarks.
Aligning with the national plan and integrating into the national development strategy
Lee stated that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee is highly significant, convened at a critical juncture as the 14th Five-Year Plan concludes successfully and the 15th Five-Year Plan is being charted. He emphasized that studying and implementing its spirit is a major task.
He noted that profound global changes, unseen in a century, are accelerating, yet these changes also bring opportunities. The proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan emphasize high-quality development, achieving self-reliance in science and technology through cultivating "new quality productive forces," and expanding high-standard opening-up. These initiatives present historic opportunities for HK. He stressed the importance of understanding and implementing the guiding principles for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. HK must actively align itself with the national plan, comprehensively advance its dual engines of finance and innovation and technology (I&T), strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the international community, and integrate into and serve the national development strategy.
Clearer roles for HK demonstrate the central government's strong support
Speaking to the media after the session, Lee shared three takeaways:
First, he emphasized the need to deeply understand the spirit of the plenary session to grasp the nation's future direction and HK's unique opportunities.
He pointed out that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee not only outlined the guiding principles for national development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period but also presented historic opportunities for HK. The explicit mention of HK and Macao in the 15th Five-Year Plan proposal highlights HK's clearer positioning within the national development strategy. This reflects the central government's firm commitment to "one country, two systems" and its strong support for the HKSAR.
HK must understand the significance of these opportunities, seize them, and further leverage its unique advantages under "one country, two systems," including its highly international, market-oriented, and rule-of-law-driven environment. By consolidating and enhancing its strengths, HK can promote its own development while deepening integration with the mainland and serving the needs of the nation.
Second, Lee highlighted the necessity to uphold fundamental principles while embracing innovation and tailoring approaches to local and current conditions. He highlighted the need to consolidate and enhance HK's unique competitive advantages to better integrate into and serve the national development strategy.
Five years ago, the 14th Five-Year Plan proposal emphasized "supporting HK and Macao in better integrating into the overall development of the country." This time, the 15th Five-Year Plan proposal explicitly states the need to "support HK and Macao in better integrating into and serving the overall development of the country." Compared to the emphasis five years ago on "maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of HK and Macao," the current proposal shifts to "promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of HK and Macao" and specifically highlights the need to promote the economic and social development of these two cities.
The 15th Five-Year Plan proposal further clarifies its objectives by explicitly stating the importance of consolidating and enhancing HK's status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, supporting HK in building itself into an international innovation and technology hub, and supporting HK and Macao in becoming a high ground for attracting international high-end talent. This provides a clearer understanding of HK's developmental positioning, guiding and inspiring HK to further seize opportunities presented by the national strategy.
"It urges us to continue leveraging HK's role as a vital bridge connecting the mainland and the world, facilitating the dual flow of "bringing in" and "going out," while acting as both a "super-connector" and a "super-value-adder. On the foundation of 'integration,' we are called to better 'serve' the country's overall development while simultaneously achieving greater progress in our own development," Lee said.
Third, Lee stressed the importance of thoroughly understanding and applying the spirit of the plenary session in daily work.
He noted that while global changes present both strategic opportunities and challenges, HK must actively adapt to and seek changes to achieve better outcomes. Lee called for a mindset of progress and accountability, urging everyone to integrate the spirit of the plenary session with their daily responsibilities to foster improved development outcomes.
HKSAR Government to push forward development in HK's core strategic areas
The proposals of the 15th Five-Year Plan clearly outline the need to "consolidate and enhance HK's status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center" and to "support HK in developing into an international I&T hub." Lee stated that these proposals align with the HKSAR government's policy direction, and his administration has already undertaken significant work in these areas since he assumed office.
Lee emphasized that HK's development positioning is clear. In addition to focusing on finance, shipping, and trade, and promoting the development of an international I&T hub, the government will also prioritize other key areas. These include establishing HK as a center for international cultural exchange, an international aviation hub, a hub for legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, and a regional intellectual property trading center. These priorities are closely tied to HK's overall development, and the government is fully committed to promoting and advancing these initiatives.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Huang Zijin; English Intern Editor: Wynnea; English Editor: Zoey SUN)
Related News:
Comment