China News Service, Hong Kong, October 17th. The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Chen Maobo, said in an essay entitled "Guangdong International Hong Kong Opportunities" on the 17th that Hong Kong will continue to expand Hong Kong's economic and trade network and seek more trading partners. The signing of a free trade agreement will further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a trade center in the region and even internationally.

  He introduced that Hong Kong has signed free trade agreements with 20 economies.

With the support of the Ministry of Commerce, Hong Kong is striving to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) as soon as possible to assist Hong Kong businessmen and investors in opening up a larger market.

Data map: Chen Maobo, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Chen Yongnuo

  Chen Maobo pointed out that looking back at history, Hong Kong's development path has always been closely linked to the country's development, and Hong Kong's trade development has also closely followed the pace of national economic transformation.

The Mainland is Hong Kong’s largest export market for goods, and its share of total exports has risen from 35% in 2000 to 59% last year.

Looking to the future, the income level of inland residents will continue to increase. The middle-income population is estimated to increase from the current 400 million to 800 million, and the consumption power will increase. In addition, the "14th Five-Year Plan" outline proposes that the development of the domestic cycle is the mainstay. Strategy, the mainland's demand for high-quality products and services increases, and Hong Kong's exports to the mainland will continue to grow at a considerable rate.

  He emphasized that Hong Kong's future economic development is inseparable from the country's development.

Assisting young people in Hong Kong to better seize the opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and take the express train of national development will help them develop a broader career development space.

As a matter of fact, the Mainland government also supports Hong Kong young people's entrepreneurship and employment in the Mainland, and has introduced many facilitating policies and measures. The SAR government will continue to provide support and assistance.

  Chen Maobo reiterated that under the country’s domestic and international “dual-cycle” development strategy, Hong Kong will be more actively integrated into the overall national development, coordinate and mutually beneficial development with brother cities in the Greater Bay Area, and promote the development of trade, shipping and logistics to a higher level and build together. The world-class bay area and world-class city clusters, while serving the country, realize the sustainable development of Hong Kong's economy.

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