Seize new opportunities and start a new journey-Hong Kong opens a new chapter by focusing on development
Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, June 27th Title: Seize new opportunities and start a new journey — — Hong Kong focuses on development and opens a new chapter.
Xinhua news agency reporter
&hellip, the first financial center in Asia and one of the longest-lived regions in the world; … Since its return to the motherland 25 years ago, Hong Kong has been full of vitality and proved to the world that "one country, two systems" is the best system to ensure Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.
Twenty-five years, a bright report card.
"In the past 25 years, despite many challenges, ‘ One country, two systems ’ The practice in Hong Kong has achieved world-recognized success. " Chairman of the Supreme Leader met with Li Jia, the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Economic performance is an important measure — — Hong Kong’s GDP increased from HK$ 1.37 trillion in 1997 to HK$ 2.86 trillion in 2021; Per capita GDP (in nominal terms) increased from HK$ 192,000 before the reunification to HK$ 387,100 in 2021; The fiscal reserves increased from HK$ 457.5 billion in 1997-1998 to HK$ 957.2 billion in 2021-2022.
Hong Kong people have more personal feelings about development.
Zhang Tiansheng is the first generation of brokers in Hong Kong. He joined the industry in 1958 and witnessed the whole process of Hong Kong stock market from birth to growth.
"When I entered the business, I never thought that the Hong Kong stock market could develop to such a scale." He said.
The data shows that the total market value of the spot stock market in Hong Kong rose from HK$ 4.86 trillion at the end of 2000 to HK$ 37.60 trillion on June 17, 2022. The income of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has increased tenfold in the past 20 years.
While the status of international financial, shipping, trade center and international aviation hub continues to be consolidated, the new positioning of international innovation and technology center, Asia-Pacific international legal and dispute resolution service center, regional intellectual property trade center and Chinese-foreign cultural and artistic exchange center is clear, and Hong Kong is better and faster integrated into the overall situation of national development.
American James Thompson moved his corporate headquarters from Japan to Hong Kong in 1978. He said that he never thought of leaving here. "In the 25 years since the return of Hong Kong, our business has grown bigger and bigger, and our business ability has been improved in many aspects."
The well-being of Hong Kong people is constantly improving. In order to let more residents share the fruits of economic development, the SAR Government has long been committed to building a caring society, taking care of the disadvantaged groups and providing more and better services to the citizens. According to statistics, the recurrent expenditure of the current SAR Government on social welfare has risen sharply from HK$ 65.3 billion in 2017-2018 to HK$ 105.7 billion in 2021-2022, making it the largest policy category.
In 2003, Mr. Zhang, a Hong Kong citizen, applied for a public housing. The residence in Dajia Building, Baoda Village, Kowloon is clean and tidy, and the area is small, but it is designed as three bedrooms, one living room, one kitchen and one bathroom, which is enough for their family to live in.
Housing is one of the pain points of Hong Kong society, and people from all walks of life expect the new SAR Government to take practical actions to solve the people’s worries.
"We must do a good job so that Hong Kong people can truly feel the benefits brought by development and enhance their sense of gain and happiness." Chen Maobo, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said.
The development pattern has broken through again
Five years ago, Yan Yaohui, a young man from Hong Kong, gave up his stable career as an actuary and joined the wave of technological entrepreneurship with his partners to set up Bowtie, an insurance technology company. At the end of 2018, the company obtained the first virtual insurance license in Hong Kong and became a pathfinder for technological transformation in the insurance industry in Hong Kong.
"As a traditional industry, the insurance industry has gradually become out of touch with technology. We hope to use technology to re-establish an insurance company. " Yan Yaohui said. This enterprise, regarded by the industry as the next batch of "unicorns" in Hong Kong, was conceived by one of the largest digital innovation communities in Hong Kong — — Cyberport.
Faced with the problems of single industrial structure and narrow spatial layout in the process of development, the Hong Kong SAR Government has taken the initiative to explore new development space.
From putting forward the Cyberport for developing scientific and technological information projects, to building a science park with a relatively complete innovation ecosystem, and then to setting up a government department &hellip to support the development of innovation; … Developing creative industries is becoming the main force to promote economic diversification in Hong Kong.
In the past five years, the SAR Government has invested more than HK$ 150 billion to support the development of science and technology innovation, and the overall science and technology innovation ecology in Hong Kong has become increasingly active. Among them, the number of start-ups increased from about 1,500 in 2015 to about 4,000 in 2021, and more than 10 "unicorn" enterprises were born.
"How can I get a treatment plan without operating on the patient?" In the "InnoHK Innovation Hong Kong R&D Platform" of Hong Kong Science Park, the Medical Robot Innovation Technology Center of the Chinese University of Hong Kong is committed to applying scientific research results and contributing to the development of science and technology in Hong Kong.
This platform aims to develop Hong Kong into a global research cooperation center. Internationally renowned universities and research institutions have set up R&D laboratories for scientific research cooperation, and nearly 30 R&D laboratories have been selected.
“‘ InnoHK innovates Hong Kong R&D platform ’ It is necessary to bring Hong Kong’s scientific research to the world stage and bring world-renowned institutions to Hong Kong. " Cen Meixia, vice president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said.
The cultural industry has also added new impetus to Hong Kong’s move towards a diversified economy. The West Kowloon Cultural District, which integrates world-class culture, art exhibition, public entertainment and consumption, broke ground in 2013. At present, the Opera Center, the Contemporary International Museum of Visual Culture M+ and other places have been completed and put into operation. The highly anticipated Hong Kong Palace Museum of Culture will also be officially opened to the public in July this year.
Integrate into national development and achieve greater achievements
Liu Dabang, the ever honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, is engaged in the trade of building raw materials. A few years ago, it planned to add new production lines in ASEAN countries, but it was temporarily put on hold due to the epidemic.
"Setting up factories in ASEAN countries is a bit like ‘ Fight alone ’ It is difficult for the local government to provide many preferential policies for individual factories. I hope that after signing the memorandum, Hong Kong enterprises can get more benefits. " He said.
The Memorandum mentioned by Liu Dabang refers to the Memorandum on Promoting High-quality Development and Cooperation in Overseas Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones signed by the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2021, aiming at promoting Hong Kong’s deep participation in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Not only the "Belt and Road" construction, but also with the implementation of the national "14 th Five-Year Plan", Hong Kong is welcoming a new round of historical development opportunities.
The outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan has established a new development orientation for Hong Kong. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has set up a broad platform for Hong Kong; "Cross-border wealth management", Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone have created new development opportunities for Hong Kong’s financial, service and creative industries … … With the strong support of the state, there is no limit to the future development of Hong Kong.
The Outline of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan published in early 2019 clearly stated that it supports the construction of the third runway of Hongkong Airport. In September 2021, the completion ceremony of the third runway laying project was held. The central government supports the construction of the third runway of Hong Kong Airport, aiming at supporting Hong Kong to consolidate its position as an international air traffic hub and maintain and enhance its overall competitiveness.
The annual passenger traffic of Hong Kong International Airport was about 28 million in its initial operation. After more than 20 years of development, the highest annual passenger traffic before the epidemic reached about 75 million, making it one of the busiest airports in the world.
"It is the development of the country and Hong Kong that drives the development of Hong Kong International Airport." Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Airport Authority, said that with the support of the state and the advantages of Hong Kong, the aviation industry in Hong Kong will gradually recover after the outbreak, and he is full of confidence in Hong Kong as an international aviation hub.
Actively integrate into the overall situation of national development and open up unlimited possibilities for the development of Hong Kong. In the new era and new journey, the central government has paid more attention to the special advantages and unique role of Hong Kong. A series of strategic plans have "Hong Kong role", and the "interface" for Hong Kong to integrate into the overall situation of national development has been increasing. The mainland of the motherland has become a broader stage for the development of the cause of Hong Kong compatriots.
In 2016, Lin Hengyi, a post-80s maker, set up a subsidiary in Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth DreamWorks, which has since opened a busy and fulfilling "Twin City Life".
"Over the past few years, our R&D experience, contacts and sales market have been greatly expanded, and our entrepreneurial achievements are very good, which has driven the turnover of the entire Hong Kong company to increase several times." Lin Hengyi lamented that industries and achievements that have done well in Hong Kong should be brought to the mainland market for expansion and radiation.
He said: "Hong Kong can define its position more clearly, give full play to its strengths and interact with other cities."
"Country ‘ Fourteenth Five-Year Plan ’ The opportunities brought by the planning and construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to all walks of life in Hong Kong are superimposed. The future cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland is not limited to traditional manufacturing and trade, but also includes financial services, professional services and technological innovation. " Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of CPPCC said that Hong Kong should continue to play the role of "super contact" under "one country, two systems", which will not only contribute to the country, but also gain a broader development space for itself.
A new starting point, new opportunities and new hopes. Hong Kong, the "Pearl of the Orient", will start another brand-new journey. (Reporter Liu Mingyang, Niu Qi, Liu Huan, Cha Wenyu)