[Concurrent] China News Agency reporter Liu Chenyao
Shenzhen and Hong Kong are separated by a river, and the economic development of the two places is closely related. The rapid rise of Shenzhen over the past 40 years is closely related to Hong Kong.
The 40th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone was held recently. What signals did President Xi Jinping's important speech in Shenzhen release?
How will Hong Kong seize the new reform opportunities and set off again?
Today we are honored to invite the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mrs. Carrie Lam, to share her views with us.
Carrie Lam: I was sitting on the stage listening to President Xi's speech. What impressed me most were two words, one is "persistence" and the other is "reform".
I believe that 40 years ago, there must be a lot of opposition to the establishment of a special zone in a small border town. Therefore, I felt that the leadership must have persistence.
So, 40 years later, everyone has seen Shenzhen's earth-shaking development, which also created a miracle of the world economy.
So at this moment, we still have to persist. For the right thing, we must persist on the right path.
As far as Hong Kong is concerned, these two words have also had a profound impact on me. In the past year or so, many things have happened in Hong Kong. Therefore, we still have to be firm, or stick to the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems", or stick to our actions. One part of the People’s Republic of China still has to insist on safeguarding national security, so I think persistence is very important.
Reform, in fact, seems like President Xi said that the road to reform is to continue.
Because without reform, now the global economy is integrated, it is easy to lose your competitiveness and your unique advantages. This is also true for Hong Kong.
Of course, the reforms facing Hong Kong are different from those in the Mainland, but we have to constantly re-examine every system, every system, and every policy to see if there is a need for reform with the new development.
I now see the future economic development of Hong Kong. In fact, during this period of time, we should be more able to grasp the opportunities to integrate into the overall development of the country and bring us reforms.
China News Agency reporter: Shenzhen and Hong Kong are separated by a river. What do you think of the relationship between the two places?
Under the "one country, two systems" system, what do you think Hong Kong has unshakable advantages?
What role will this play in the future two-city relationship?
Carrie Lam: Shenzhen is adjacent to Hong Kong. During the past 40 years of Shenzhen's reform and opening up, Hong Kong has been a very active participant.
At the beginning, with the reform and opening up of Shenzhen, Hong Kong companies went in to invest and set up factories to make manufacturing. They have made some progress in Shenzhen. They need to find a platform to connect mainland companies with the world. The so-called introduction of funds and going out. , Hong Kong has also made a good contact role.
In the future, of course, Shenzhen will take the path of technological innovation. Hong Kong also hopes that our economy will be more diversified. We can also have opportunities for development in technological innovation. Then, close cooperation with Shenzhen has given us a great help. The advantages are certainly complementary.
Forty years ago, Hong Kong had developed to a certain extent, but there were limitations in land and human resources. At that time, Shenzhen provided us with a solution. We put manufacturing in Shenzhen, so Hong Kong can develop in the past few decades. Become a global international financial center, trade center, and shipping center.
In terms of technological innovation, Hong Kong’s advantage is that it has very good institutions of higher learning and scientific research capabilities. However, since we have basically no manufacturing industry, the transformation and commercialization of scientific research depends on Shenzhen’s advanced technology. manufacturing.
But the most important complementarity between the two places is "one country, two systems."
We are in one country, so the central government gives us support, and the cooperation between the two places will be more dynamic. However, we have retained Hong Kong’s own system. It seems that the legal system, scientific research capabilities, and international integration are guaranteed under the Basic Law. In terms of free flow of funds and currency, this can provide a good impetus for the further development of Shenzhen.
China News Service: Some people say that President Xi’s speech this time is equivalent to opening a new era of reform and opening up. How do you think Hong Kong should seize the opportunity of reform and opening up before starting?
Carrie Lam: In fact, Hong Kong's development has always been inseparable from the development of the Mainland.
In the future development, since the mainland is now a dual-cycle economic layout of domestic and foreign countries, I hope that Hong Kong companies can integrate into the development pattern. Our companies should be able to participate in the domestic market. The so-called transfer of previous exports to domestic sales In addition, the cycle abroad is to make better use of Hong Kong’s connection with the world. We provide a platform for mainland enterprises, especially to develop in some countries along the “Belt and Road”.
In general, I think the mainland is now a major economy in the world that has grown after the epidemic, which means that Hong Kong has a good opportunity, so how to make good use of our unique advantages and how to better integrate into the overall development of the country , Is also the focus of my future work.
China News Agency reporter: You just said that you will go to Beijing to discuss some preferential Hong Kong policies with some ministries and commissions. Can you tell us a little bit about what you hope to get the assistance of the central government?
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor: I mainly focus on a few areas. We have done in these areas in the past few years, but I think we can strengthen and consolidate our strength and improve our position.
One is, of course, finance. In the past few years, we have benefited from the reform and opening up of the country’s financial sector. The financial interconnection between the two places includes the "Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect", "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect" and "Bond Connect". The "financial link" in the Hong Kong and Macau Greater Bay Area can be implemented.
The other is technological innovation. Over the past three years, the Hong Kong SAR government has really invested a lot of resources in technological innovation, close to 100 billion Hong Kong dollars. The Ministry of Science and Technology supports us very much, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences supports us very much.
There are some national laboratories in Hong Kong.
Now I hope that the central government will further support the cooperation with Shenzhen. How can Hong Kong cooperate with Shenzhen to build an international technological innovation center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The third aspect is that Hong Kong’s international airport is an aviation hub in Asia, but this epidemic has been hit hard.
We are expanding the airport at the same time, and the third runway project is still under construction, so I hope that there are some policies that can consolidate and enhance the status of Hong Kong International Airport as an aviation hub in the Greater Bay Area.
Of course, there are some issues related to people's livelihood. Regarding the issue of customs clearance after the epidemic, in the future, the mainland has developed and produced vaccines. There are several requirements in several aspects.
Reporter from China News Service: You just mentioned the people's livelihood. We heard that many organizations and citizens have come to petition and put forward some of their demands, which can be reflected in the "policy address."
So, do you consider adopting some suggestions, such as education, as well as the medical aspects of anti-epidemic as you said.
Carrie Lam: Every year before the "Policy Address" is published, many people come and have many demands. We listen to them very carefully, but I am afraid that not every request can be met.
Because Hong Kong still has financial limitations, we are a relatively small government.
But you just mentioned education. Education is too important. It is to train the next generation, especially Hong Kong is a place where talents gather. Without people, we would not have economic growth.
So since I took office in 2017, we have invested 13 billion Hong Kong dollars per year in education.
Of course, the government not only pays money for education, but also manages it, so that education as an important cause can follow a correct path.
But in terms of citizens' requirements, in addition to education, social welfare and medical treatment are the most important.
In particular, Hong Kong’s medical system is basically a public medical system. I am willing to use more public resources to improve people’s lives within my abilities. Therefore, within 3 years, from 2017 when I took office, I have The government's recurrent expenditure has increased by more than 30%, which is very powerful, especially since the economy has not been very good in recent years.
China News Agency reporter: The following question is about you personally.
We know that Shenzhen and Hong Kong are very closely connected. Many infrastructure projects, including our Xiangyuanwei Port, were carried out when you were the director of the Development Bureau.
Then we want to know, what was your original intention to carry out these projects?
Now that these projects are in full swing, what kind of gift do you think you gave yourself?
Carrie Lam: I have been in office for 40 years this year, just like the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, so every time I see a project I have participated in can be successfully completed, it is a great satisfaction, especially since these jobs are beneficial to the people. .
I remember that when I was the Secretary for Development, one of my tasks was related to cross-border infrastructure, not only the Liantang (Heung Yuen Wai) port, but also the development of technological innovation in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, and the governance of the Shenzhen River.
Several projects have now been completed: the port has been opened; some projects in the Lok Ma Chau Loop have been established, and they are now working on land leveling, and a committee has been established with Shenzhen to deal with it; the Shenzhen River is basically very good and there is no pollution. Up.
So it feels very good to see that Shenzhen and Hong Kong work together to accomplish something.
And in the process of cooperation, I have also established good friendships with Shenzhen officials and city leaders. This is also very rare.
So I hope that in the future, especially when I am now the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region, I can influence the scope of promotion, which is far wider than that of a Secretary for Development. Therefore, I hope that in the future, I will focus on technological innovation, culture and art, and youth exchanges. Both can push Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation to a new level.
China News Agency reporter: You just said that you have undertaken public office for more than 40 years. I have read your article reviewing your public career before. We think you have done a lot of work. You have contributed to the development of Hong Kong to this day. However, you also suffered a lot of grievances during the black riots of last year. How would you comment on the existence of such encounters in your political career?
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor: This is not my personal evaluation. I think we act in the heart of serving the public, especially when we become the Chief Executive. As you know, the Chief Executive is a dual-chief position. I want to treat Hong Kong. The Special Administrative Region is responsible, and I am also responsible to the Central People’s Government.
In the past few years, apart from using my past experience to manage cities, I also have a more profound understanding that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China, and we take on some tasks to protect the country.
Therefore, in a very difficult environment, we can implement the National Security Law. I think it is very important to the future development of Hong Kong.
For me, I don’t think much about it. Foreign governments want to sanction our officials responsible for protecting national security. I think we need to explain why it’s them, not me, and my principal officials who are able to do this. We are truly honored to take on this very important historical task, and we also hope that this matter can be done well.
Personal grievances, sometimes unhappy, I think it is definitely not important to me.
Anyway, the international community will soon see who makes sense and who does not make sense, and we should not tolerate some hegemonism now.
Reporter from China News Service: As you just said, assuming the chief executive by yourself is a very difficult job. This is for Hong Kong citizens, but for the family, you are also a woman, a wife, and a mother.
The gangster incidents of last year, including the various anti-epidemic measures enacted by the SAR government this year, there are some different voices in the public, so how does your family support you to move forward?
Carrie Lam: Basically, they support silently. They are very low-key. Although they may feel very upset in their hearts, they feel that their wife or mother has done a lot of work and are still treated like this, but basically they always He supports me very much, and doesn’t ask me. Anyway, he said that we will definitely support 100% of what you do. We don’t need to ask what you do and what your considerations are, because I am not a member of the Legislative Council. Media, I am your closest and most trusted family member.
China News Agency reporter: I saw that you will publish some of the work of the SAR government on epidemic prevention every month on the 25th. We also hope that more citizens can understand you more and support you like your family. Thank you .
Wang Danying, Liu Chenyao, Li Yue, Chen Shuo, Li Yuqi and Hu Dingxuan
Editor in charge: [Tian Bochuan]