John Lee visits national reform commission on final day of Beijing trip

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu paid a visit to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and met with its party secretary and chairman Zheng Shanjie in Beijing on Wednesday to exchange views on Hong Kong’s integration into national development. 

On the fourth and final day of Lee’s duty visit, he expressed gratitude for the NDRC’s support for Hong Kong’s efforts in consolidating and realizing its development of the “eight centers” as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan. 

He also thanked the NDRC for its constant support for Hong Kong’s participation in and promotion of such national strategies as the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. 

The NDRC’s support has facilitated Hong Kong’s better integration into national development, providing a new and greater contribution to the high-quality development of the country, Lee said. 

Lee noted that the “eight centers” development can provide impetus for the city’s competitiveness and sustainable economic growth, including developing “headquarters economy” to explore opportunities brought by the national and international dual circulation, capitalizing on and unleashing the city’s advantages in financial services, and deepening mutual access with the mainland’s financial market. 

The SAR will also be promoting the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint and adopting an industry-oriented approach to promote new industrialization in the city; and actively promote the development of cultural and creative industries, Lee added. 

Lee continued that the SAR government has published the Northern Metropolis Action Agenda and will render full support to the development plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. 

The city will work with the Shenzhen Municipal Government as well to foster the synergistic development of the Hong Kong Park and the Shenzhen Park and achieve complementarity. 

Lee left Beijing for Hong Kong this afternoon.