Top officials from Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong and the central government gathered on Thursday to promote the Greater Bay Area, a wide-ranging development plan unveiled earlier this week.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at the symposium that Hong Kong is facing “increasingly serious challenges,” but the Greater Bay Area blueprint offers the city new impetus for development. Hong Kong needs to become a proactive participant in regional affairs instead of just a “connector,” she added.
Lam said the One Country, Two Systems principle will still be upheld: “[The Greater Bay Area] will not, as some people worry, blur the boundaries between the ‘Two Systems’, nor will it weaken Hong Kong’s status as a separate customs territory.”
“It certainly will not lead to the assimilation of Hong Kong into the Mainland either.”
On Tuesday, China’s State Council released a 56-page outline on the Greater Bay Area, which lists Hong Kong as one of four “core cities” that are meant to drive development of the seven Chinese municipalities.
Lam said her administration will focus on consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, transportation and trade centre – as well as a global hub for aviation, innovation and technology. Other goals include strengthening infrastructural connectivity and fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Through co-operation with subvented and non-governmental organisations, the [Hong Kong government] will provide young people starting their businesses in various Greater Bay Area cities with start-up grants, support, counselling, guidance, and incubation services,” she said by way of example.