Five-year Plan Brings Opportunities For HK, Says CE

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Monday said Hong Kong's development must be tightly linked with that of the mainland, because this is the key to the city's continued success.

Lam was speaking at a seminar where a central government delegation was explaining the national 14th five-year plan.

In an opening speech, the CE said the plan will bring once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for Hong Kong, and its inclusion of the SAR shows Beijing's support and care for Hongkongers.

"We should leverage ourselves on our country and face the world. With the unswerving support of the central authorities, we will be able to do more," she said.

The chief executive expressed confidence that Hong Kong can help implement the five-year plan – now that the National Security Law and electoral overhaul have brought positive developments.

"We need to maintain our competitiveness and we need to achieve prosperity and stability... We will implement the overall jurisdiction of the central authorities over Hong Kong. We will integrate our development into that of the country. We have to ward off external forces in interfering in Hong Kong's affairs," Lam said.

"We do need to strengthen education of the Basic Law and the constitution. We also have to enhance our sense of belonging. We (the SAR government) have a huge responsibility, but I appeal to different sectors of our society to work towards it."

Speaking at the same event, the director of Beijing's liaison office, Luo Huining, also said it is important for Hong Kong to grasp the opportunities offered by the mainland.

"Hong Kong must have a thorough understanding of the new development concept of the country, so that we can build a new and comprehensive development pattern," he said.

"The spirit of rejuvenating the great Chinese nation is the trend that cannot be stopped. For Hong Kong, the greatest opportunity of development lies with the mainland... Hong Kong must grasp these opportunities."