Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, accompanied by five principal officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, made a duty visit to Beijing last week to discuss matters concerning policy support by the central government for the HKSAR. On Friday, they met with Vice-Premier Han Zheng at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where, over dinner, Han made some important observations that Hong Kong society should take note of and sincerely reflect on.
First, Han reiterated on behalf of the central government due recognition of and resolute support for the HKSAR government in executing its constitutional duties according to law. He noted that Lam has done a good job leading the SAR government in overcoming various difficulties to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, relieve local residents’ hardships, and boost economic recovery to the best of its abilities while effectively implementing the Law of the People’s Republic of China on National Security in the HKSAR, and maintaining social stability and public order. The key word here is “difficulties”, meaning the central authorities are well aware of the challenges facing Hong Kong society, particularly in the past year or so, that have given the SAR government an unprecedented test of its mettle, such as handling the social unrest orchestrated by anti-China forces in and outside Hong Kong last year and public trepidation triggered by the pandemic. Given all those difficulties, the central government fully recognizes, approves and supports the HKSAR government’s efforts to govern Hong Kong according to law and against all odds.
Second, Han also gave the SAR government some significant pointers, especially on general planning. In addition to giving the SAR government credit where it is due and promising continued support, as described above, the central authorities also expressed their expectations and “instructions” for the HKSAR government. Here, Han said “general planning” more than once, such as in pandemic control and prevention as well as economic recovery and breaking bottlenecks restricting Hong Kong’s long-term development. Apparently, Beijing expects the HKSAR government to seriously step up its efforts in making “overall plans”. This is an example of the central government supervising the HKSAR government on the one hand and reminding the latter of its accountability to the central authorities on the other.
Many people may still remember what Lam said in explaining why she decided to postpone the publication of 2020-21 Policy Address: She needed to seek central government help for effective results in some key objectives
As expected, Han once again emphasized Hong Kong needs to “proactively integrate its own development into the overall development strategy of the country”. We have heard and read this sentence numerous times in recent years, but it is more relevant and important now than ever because of the proposal to draft the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) for national socio-economic development and long-range development goals for the next 15 years, until 2035, announced by the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China at its fifth plenary session in Beijing not long ago. The proposal without a doubt means the saying “Hong Kong must proactively integrate its own development with the overall development strategy of the country” will see many more details very soon. Particularly important is that Hong Kong must know exactly where it fits in the country’s new development pattern of “dual circulation”, which takes the domestic market as the mainstay of the economy while allowing the domestic and foreign markets to boost each other. It will put Hong Kong in a strategic position in which the internal and external circulations connect, said Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, in a meeting with Lam and her team of principal officials in Beijing. Indeed, Hong Kong can and should play a uniquely strategic role in facilitating the “internal-external dual circulation” required for the new development pattern, including science and technology innovation, internationalization of the renminbi, advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, and improving a diversified financing and investment system. Of course, Hong Kong should also make full use of the country’s vast domestic market and its boundless development potential to power its own economic development. The SAR government must have an “overall plan” for seizing all those opportunities and coordinating resources.
Third, Han assured Hong Kong of central government support whenever and wherever it needs it. Currently, the SAR government is in talks with relevant departments of the Central People’s Government over what help Hong Kong needs from Beijing to jump-start economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Han promised Hong Kong society whatever assistance that will benefit Hong Kong’s development as well as its efforts to maintain stability and prosperity by integrating its own development into the overall development strategy of the country. Apparently the central authorities are positive and optimistic about Hong Kong moving forward and expect the latter to understand and appreciate the blessings that the future holds.
Many people may still remember what Lam said in explaining why she decided to postpone the publication of 2020-21 Policy Address: She needed to seek central government help for effective results in some key objectives. After the latest meetings between Lam and State leaders in Beijing, the next Policy Address should give Hong Kong society more reasons to be optimistic and inspired as well.
The author is senior research officer of the One Country Two Systems Research Institute.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
