Hong Kong to sharpen competitive edge by applying plenum’s guidance: John Lee Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged to sharpen the city’s competitive edge to better serve the country’s development by applying the guidance principles of the fourth plenum in everyday governance. Lee made the pledge after attending a seminar at government headquarters that featured the head of the country’s top scientific think tank on Monday. Hou Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said in his address that the latest five-year plan endorsed during last month’s plenum in Beijing had significant “traction, driving and supporting roles in advancing Chinese modernisation”. According to the Hong Kong government, Hou suggested the city leverage its advantages, strengthen “forward-looking and pioneering” basic research and build a hub for high-calibre talent, as well as become a base for global scientific and technological cooperation. Zhu Weidong, deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, also told the seminar that the five-year plan would inject strong development momentum into Hong Kong. He said Hong Kong should better integrate into national development plans and participate in key strategies such as the creation of the Greater Bay Area as opportunities became more numerous. Chief Executive Lee summed up his three main takeaways from the seminar, which was also attended by top members of his administration, other government officials, lawmakers and representatives of the judiciary. “First, we must deeply understand and comprehend the spirit of the fourth plenary session, grasp the future development direction of the country and the opportunities for Hong Kong,” he said in a Facebook post. “Second, we must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, adapt to local conditions and the times to advance all aspects of our work, especially to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s unique competitive advantages, and better integrate into and serve the overall development of the country. “Third, we must integrate this spirit of the fourth plenary session into our daily affairs.” At last month’s meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Beijing reaffirmed it would adhere to the principles of “one country, two systems” and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong”. It also pledged to support the city’s deeper integration into national development and back Hong Kong’s goal of becoming a hub for high-end talent and enhancing its law-based governance. Lee also said the world was “undergoing rapid changes” and that the national development environment “faces profound and complex transformations”. “Strategic opportunities and risks coexist. Uncertainties and unpredictable factors are increasing. However, these changes also contain opportunities,” Lee said. “I hope that all participants and the general public will thoroughly study and understand the spirit of the fourth plenary session, accurately identify their advantageous position within the national development blueprint, and adopt a proactive, pragmatic and responsible spirit.” He added: “We should actively recognise, respond to, and seek change, integrating the spirit of the fourth plenary session in our respective roles to achieve better development and contribute to the comprehensive advancement of China’s modernisation, the building of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Speaking at Monday’s event, Zhou Ji, the head of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said the seminar, the first given by the mainland delegation, demonstrated Beijing’s high regard for Lee and his team, its deep care for residents and its strong support for local development. In the afternoon, the Beijing officials also visited the area near the mainland Chinese border reserved for the Northern Metropolis megaproject. Chan stressed the development, which aims to transform 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) of land into a new economic engine and housing hub, was in line with the five-year plan’s call for high-level technological self-reliance. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3333951/hong-kong-sharpen-competitive-edge-applying-plenums-guidance-john-lee?module=top_story&pgtype=section (ICE HONG KONG)

Fonte notizia: South China Morning Post