City Beat | Hong Kong's role in China's 13th five-year plan is open to interpretation
What does Beijing mean when it talks about 'enhancing' the city's role in economic development?
Two weeks ago, journalism students asked me a question: how come a Xinhua report on the just-ended Fifth Plenum of the Communist Party, which passed the outline of the 13th five-year plan, made no mention of "one country, two systems" nor "Hong Kong people administrating Hong Kong"? Was this omission a bigger story, given certain media played up this aspect?
Hongkongers are getting more and more sensitive about Beijing's rhetoric on the city. But in this case, I suggested the students wait to see more details of Hong Kong's role when the full text was released.
When the outline was finally published in its entirety last Tuesday, the two concepts missing from the Xinhua report were there. But the text stressed they should be implemented in a "comprehensive and accurate" way. This may or may not put at ease the minds of those worried by the omissions, but a further look at the plan reveals something else Hong Kong must reflect on, if not worry about.
READ MORE: Beijing promises Hong Kong more help on economic development
Beijing pledged full support for the city to join its "One Belt, One Road" initiative, enhance its status and function in the nation's economic development and "give full play to Hong Kong's unique advantages" in promoting cooperation between the city, the mainland and Taiwan.
Isn't the city's role in economic development already clearly crafted? Given that the word "enhance" can carry different interpretations, the answer is yes and no.
It is a "yes" because Hong Kong, with its free economy, is expected to continue serving as a bridge connecting China to the outside world; yet it can also be a "no", because the city is no longer the only springboard for the country to go global.
President Xi Jinping is establishing more direct personal relations with leaders around the world with his "leaders' diplomacy" drive, which promotes direct partnership between Chinese enterprises and foreign counterparts. So what is Hong Kong's position?
