Editor’s Note: There’s no doubt that Hong Kong’s future is intertwined with that of the nation’s. In the run-up to the Communist Party of China’s 20th National Congress, China Daily invites leaders from Hong Kong’s various sectors and professions to share their vision of the upcoming event and the city’s development. In this article, Holden Chow Ho-ding, a lawmaker and solicitor in Hong Kong, said he hopes that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region can offer more legal and dispute resolution services to economies in the Belt and Road Initiative, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 

This undated file photo shows Holden Chow Ho-ding, a lawmaker and solicitor in Hong Kong.

1. The Communist Party of China’s 20th National Congress will begin shortly. How do you view the development of the country and the city in the past decade? What about in your sector? What changes have impressed you the most? 

China has made impressive economic achievements over the past decade, especially in alleviating poverty. By 2021, even under the difficult situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, 98 million people living under extremely poor conditions in rural areas were able to escape from poverty in eight years. This heralds not only the determination of Chinese government but also its effectiveness in the crackdown on poverty.

2. Poverty alleviation is one of the key tasks of the CPC’s work in the past decade, which also came to fruition when the mainland rid itself of absolute poverty. What can Hong Kong learn from the mainland’s poverty-alleviation work when it is embroiled in a widening wealth gap?

The Hong Kong SAR under “one country, two systems” has been thriving. The GDP of the city has doubled compared to the figure before 1997. But the HKSAR does have deep-seated issues like a shortage of housing, with people living in cage homes. Although the current government has already begun to take active steps to tackle the problem, in the long run, Hong Kong’s government should be more proactive in unveiling policies. Simply relying on the longstanding laissez-faire principle won't be able to solve the problem.

3. President Xi Jinping’s report at the 19th CPC National Congress pointed out that the country has entered a new era of development and the Party is striving to build a moderately prosperous society. What role do you think Hong Kong SAR, especially your sector, could play in the country’s blueprint for the new era?

The central government does encourage Hong Kong to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. And as President Xi Jinping rightly pointed out in his speech given on July 1 this year, Hong Kong should continue making good use of our edge under “one country, two systems”, namely connecting the rest of the world and our common law system. As I have the benefit of paying a visit to ASEAN countries recently, with the potential and promising future of ASEAN economies, Hong Kong should tilt towards ASEAN and enhance bilateral economic ties with them. There has been continuous growth in business and economic partnerships between China and ASEAN. Hong Kong SAR surely can connect them and offer our professional services, for instance, our legal and dispute resolution services, and our financial services. This is certainly conducive to the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, too.

4. What do you think closer integration with the Chinese mainland for the past 10 years has brought to your industry? Looking forward, how do you perceive it will go?

Over the past decade, the idea of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is indeed impressive, it has become an enormous economic engine for our entire nation. Hong Kong’s economy has also been driven by the development of the Greater Bay Area.

5. For the past 10 years, many favorable policies were rolled out for Hong Kong and Macao residents. Is your industry one of the beneficiaries? What role do you think such policies have played in helping your sector to grow stronger?

A couple of years ago, Hong Kong practicing solicitors were allowed to take a designated examination in order to practice law in the mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area in the future. Hundreds of Hong Kong lawyers have already taken the exam. The Hong Kong legal sector benefits from the opening up of the Greater Bay Area.

6. What are your expectations for Hong Kong’s participation and contribution to the nation’s development in the upcoming decade?

Going forward, Hong Kong should continue our efforts to promote our edge to the rest of the world. For instance, we should make every effort to woo ASEAN companies to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, we should encourage more international business to use Hong Kong arbitration services, given the fact that we are one of the five most popular jurisdictions for arbitration.