Hongkongers should not worry about the "7+3" quarantine requirement in the mainland but rather look for opportunities there as soon as possible instead of waiting for border to reopen, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying said.

There used to be 400,000 cross-border travelers per day before the pandemic, he said, adding that the mandatory quarantine in the mainland "costs time" but is worth it.

Leung said yesterday he paid frequent visits to the mainland amid the pandemic and was even quarantined for 16 days to attend the 20th party congress last month.

He suggested government officials, Executive Council members and businessmen should pay the "time cost" and visit the mainland in person to understand national developments.

"People from all sectors, including officials with their duties, should not worry about the 7+3 quarantine arrangement and should not wait for the border opening," Leung said, referring to the mainland quarantine system of seven days in a designated hotel and three days of medical surveillance for new visitors.

"If officials are willing to pay the time cost and contribute to Hong Kong by actively seeking opportunities in the mainland, I will publicly praise them," he added, reiterating it's necessary for Hongkongers to have a better understanding of the national development by visiting the mainland in person.

He added that he would organize visits to the mainland for people from all sectors, including the media, after the pandemic.

Quoting President Xi Jinping from the 20th party congress, Leung said that Hong Kong should integrate into national development.

Apart from making contributions to the country, integrating into China's development also means the younger generation can seek opportunities on a "bigger stage," he said.

Beijing supports Hong Kong's efforts to maintain its status as the global financial hub and international maritime center, he said.

"Improving Hong Kong's status as the international maritime center is not as simple as expanding the capacity of Kwai Chung container terminal. Instead, the SAR's status can be better secured if families in the sector can raise their children into maritime law experts and marine insurance specialists," he added.

He said Hongkongers should not only read the part of Xi's 20th party congress report about Hong Kong affairs, but the whole report.

For instance, Beijing's push to develop traditional Chinese medicine gives Hong Kong an opportunity to improve the qualifications of practitioners and help promote Chinese medicine across the world.

China is following the path of peaceful modernization and will not invade other countries, but will continue to open as the country is holding China International Import Expo this week, he explained.

Its legal system is making progress as the supreme people's procuratorate and supreme people's court will release reports to the public every year, Leung said.

China 'quarantine cost worth the time'