Interview with Li Jiachao in Beijing: Hong Kong should be more proactive in integrating into the overall development of the country

Beijing, 3 Mar (ZXS) -- Interview with Li Jiachao in Beijing: Hong Kong should be more proactive in integrating into the overall development of the country

China News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoxi

Hong Kong Chief Executive Li Jiachao was interviewed by China News Agency and other media in Beijing on the 15th, talking freely about his feelings about attending the NPC session as observers and visiting central ministries, commissions and agencies, and looking forward to Hong Kong's future development. He has stressed many times that Hong Kong should be more proactive in integrating into the overall development of the country, give full play to the advantages of "one country, two systems", and contribute to the high-quality development of the country.

During the two sessions of the National People's Congress this year, Lee attended the opening and closing meetings of the first session of the 8th National People's Congress as non-voting delegates, and after the closing session, he and eight secretaries of the Policy Bureau of the HKSAR Government visited central ministries, commissions and agencies in Beijing to enhance exchanges and cooperation.

Buy time to build mutual trust

Regarding the trip to Beijing, Li Jiachao said that the three-year epidemic has slowed down many things that he hoped to do, and now Hong Kong and the mainland have resumed customs clearance, hoping to do the most things in the shortest time, to "chase time and results", and build mutual trust with central ministries and agencies.

Mr Lee said that he was very grateful to the central ministries and agencies for their continued support and attention to Hong Kong, and he hoped to take this opportunity to enhance exchanges so that the SAR Government team could learn from good practices and experiences in different fields and understand the overall development layout of the country. At the same time, it also makes use of Hong Kong's advantages of "one country, two systems" to contribute to the overall development of the country.

Active integration into contributing countries

During the interview, Lee repeatedly emphasized actively and proactively integrating into the overall development of the country, including the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, giving full play to Hong Kong's advantages in different fields and contributing to national development.

Mr Lee mentioned that after he became the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he set up a steering group to integrate into the overall development of the country, with the intention of boosting enthusiasm and initiative and leading Hong Kong to better integrate into national development.

He believes that different cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have different advantages, and under the synergistic effect, they will form a city cluster that "runs far, runs fast and jumps high". Hong Kong should give full play to its advantages of relying on the motherland and connecting with the world, cooperate with the country's high-quality development, and attract more talents.

The eight centers are steadily advancing

The National 14th Five-Year Plan clarifies Hong Kong's positioning as one of the "eight centres", including the development of an international innovation and technology centre and the development of a Sino-foreign cultural and artistic exchange centre. In an interview, Li Jiachao particularly emphasized that how to do a good job and expand the "eight centers" can give full play to Hong Kong's advantages.

Mr Lee pointed out that in terms of developing an international I&T hub, the HKSAR Government has proposed a series of measures, including the publication of the "Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint", setting aside a large amount of funds to support the implementation of start-ups and innovative products, etc., and focusing on attracting talents. At present, the High-end Talent Pass Scheme launched by the HKSAR Government has reached the six-month target within three months of receiving applications, exceeding expectations. The construction of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park is also a priority, and he is confident that the HKITP will become a demonstration area for innovation collaboration.

He also said that in terms of developing the Sino-foreign cultural and artistic exchange center, the HKSAR Government has established the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, promoted the formation of relevant committees, increased the construction of hardware, etc., and also attached great importance to talent training. This year, Hong Kong will host events such as Basel Art Festival and Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival to promote the development of Hong Kong's culture and arts.

Central Support is heartened

Li Jiachao stressed that Hong Kong should grasp the unique advantages endowed by the state. While seizing these opportunities, Hong Kong itself can also develop its economy, improve people's livelihood, and contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He also mentioned many times that he was deeply excited by his visit to Beijing, and he could feel the full support of the state for Hong Kong from all aspects.

"I have confidence that Hong Kong will give full play to the advantages of 'one country, two systems' in the future." Mr Lee said that Hong Kong therefore needs to maximize its value. (End)