'Diamonds' told to stand firm

Jamie Liu

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang described Hong Kong and Macau as "diamonds," highlighting their unique status, as he met with members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from the two SARs yesterday.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, along with CPPCC vice chairmen Leung Chun-ying and Edmund Ho Hau-wah, attended the meeting held during the Two Sessions in Beijing.

Ho, who hosted the meeting, said Ding's attendance demonstrated how Beijing values the "one country, two systems" principle.

Ding, who leads Beijing's top body for Hong Kong and Macau affairs, listened as delegates shared their views on how the SARs could make an expedited integration into China's overall development.

CPPCC Standing Committee member Yiu Chi-shing suggested that Hong Kong aim to surpass London as the No 2 international financial center, aligning itself to China's status as the world's second-largest economy.

Yiu proposed a reform roadmap to ensure the city adheres to the highest global standards for financial hubs.

"Hong Kong holds a unique status, enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world," Ding said in agreement with Yiu's suggestions to boost production service industries.

Another CPPCC Standing Committee member, Pansy Ho Chiu-king, said Ding told them that Hong Kong should be confident as the city is "very capable."

Quoting Ding after the meeting, CPPCC member Peter Douglas Koon Ho-ming said Hong Kong and Macau are "diamonds" shining as "super-connectors" for the mainland.

"I interpret the analogy as Vice Premier Ding hoping Hong Kong emanates radiance in both the East and the West," Koon said.

Ding told delegates to respond firmly to challenges and not to retreat, despite the many external attempts to suppress China, Koon added.

CPPCC standing committee member Ko Wing-man said Ding cautioned Hong Kong about the impact of geopolitics, saying the city should remain vigilant.

"The situation seems stable now, but does it mean we can let our guard down? The answer is no. There are still many internal and external forces hoping to undermine our national security and interfere with our 'one country, two systems' principle," Ko said.

CPPCC member Lo Wing-hung said Ding had "three hopes" for them: lead the efforts in promoting and implementing the Two Sessions spirit, support the chief executive and the SAR government, and unite Hong Kong and Macau to join forces in development.

Lo said Ding called on the business and industrial sectors to invest early and for the long-term in innovation and technology.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu noted that the latest Chinese government work report had for the first time called on Hong Kong and Macau to "deepen international exchanges and cooperation."

Lee reiterated his pledge to pursue membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a landmark Asia-Pacific free-trade agreement.

jamie.liu@singtaonewscorp.com