Carrie Lam discussed pandemic and economic relief with Beijing

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Friday she had discussed pandemic controls and economic relief measures with mainland Chinese officials during her three-day trip to Beijing and that the central government has welcomed her proposals.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Lam said although she could not disclose substantial details of her meetings, the Chinese government will support Hong Kong's competitiveness, as well as tech innovation in the Asian financial hub.

Hong Kong's economy has been in a downturn since mid-2019 due to the double blow of COVID-19 and anti-government protests.

She revealed that during her stay in Beijing, meetings have been held with six of the Chinese’ ministries and commissions.

Those include the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Science and Technology, China Securities Regulatory Commission, Health Commission, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Lam said she hopes the results of these meetings in the bid of restoring Hong Kong’s economy could be delivered during her policy address scheduled on November 25.

She also revealed that Hong Kong has been told to continue strengthening its anti-epidemic measures before the mainland restrictions can be eased to allow Hongkongers traveling to the mainland without having to undergo 14 days of quarantine.

“We have updated mainland health authorities on Hong Kong’s latest anti-Covid strategy, but up until this very moment, we have been told to work even harder before we can reach the threshold for restrictions to be lifted.” said Lam.

Lam will head to Guangdong later today, meeting with government officials of Guangzhou and Shenzhen for economic talks on the Greater Bay Area. She will return to Hong Kong on Saturday night.-Reuters/The Standard