High-powered think tank to boost Hong Kong’s socio-economic standing unveiled with aim to tap into national development

More than 50 academics and business leaders with extensive experience of China lined up for new think tank under Chief Executive’s Policy Group

They include academic Zheng Yongnian, Lau Siu-kai of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, and Henderson Land Development’s Martin Lee Ka-shing

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A high-powered advisory group to help boost Hong Kong’s socio-economic position has been unveiled. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 10:20pm, 30 May 2023Updated: 1:22am, 31 May 2023

More than 50 top academics and business leaders with extensive experience of mainland China have been enlisted for a high-powered Hong Kong think tank set up to advise the chief executive on boosting the city’s socio-economic standing in line with national development.

The 56-strong team, unveiled on Tuesday, will also work in three expert groups – economic advancement, social development and research strategy – under the Chief Executive’s Policy Group (CEPU), headed by Stephen Wong Yuen-chiu.

“Hong Kong has gone from chaos to order and now is in the critical period of transiting from stability to prosperity,” city leader John Lee Ka-chiu said before the announcement.

“I hope to be able to make up for the lost time in the shortest time possible and achieve results. I would like to formulate policies to bring positive values and impacts to Hong Kong in the short, medium and long term.”

Professor Zheng Yongnian, the presidential chair professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, has joined a new think tank designed to boost Hong Kong’s economy. Photo: Edward Wong

The think tank includes top figures from business, finance and the academic world, all appointed with immediate effect for a one-year term.