Leung urges more economic ties with mainland China and Taiwan
A Beijing official also says Hong Kong is losing its competitive edge
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying urged Hong Kong business leaders to boost co-operation with the mainland and Taiwan at a financial forum on Thursday.
He acknowledged worries among the business community that Hong Kong might lose cross-strait trade following a trade pact between Beijing and Taipei, but he said the city could benefit as well.
The Economic Co-operation Framework Agreement, implemented in 2010, reduces import tariffs between the mainland and Taiwan.
If the city could think out of the box, further open up and boost co-operation, Leung said, it could make better use of development opportunities.
Echoing Leung’s remarks, a Beijing official said Hong Kong was losing its competitive edge and that its people should be self-reliant.