Hong Kong has ‘irreplaceable’ role in country’s reform efforts: senior Beijing officials

Commerce minister Wang Wentao and key legal official Shen Chunyao brief political elites on third plenum resolution in Hong Kong session

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Senior Beijing officials have for the first time held a large session in Hong Kong, broadcast live to the public, about the country’s five-yearly top-level Chinese Communist Party third plenum. Photo: Sun Yeung

Published: 3:01pm, 26 Aug 2024Updated: 11:28pm, 27 Aug 2024

Beijing has affirmed Hong Kong’s “irreplaceable” role in furthering the country’s reforms and opening up as the nation strives to become a modern socialist state, urging the city to contribute by refining its strengths and bolstering its international connectivity.

Commerce minister Wang Wentao on Monday also pledged measures to elevate Hong Kong’s status as a global financial hub amid fierce regional competition as he briefed hundreds of officials, lawmakers and business leaders for 2½ hours on the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee. He was joined by Shen Chunyao, chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

It was the first time senior Beijing officials had held a large session in Hong Kong, broadcast live to the public, about the country’s five-yearly top-level Chinese Communist Party meeting, when state leaders decide blueprints to guide development.

In his speech, the commerce minister said President Xi Jinping had stressed that only an open China would become a modern China, and one of the resolution’s focuses was to “improve the high-level opening-up system and mechanism” of the country, which would offer Hong Kong greater opportunities.

Pointing to a letter sent by Xi earlier this month to Hong Kong entrepreneurs with roots in Ningbo, Wang also said the city had enjoyed a role in the country’s reform and opening up “in the past, present and future”.

Chief Executive John Lee has said Hong Kong must reform itself through innovative measures to seize development opportunities, especially amid a complicated international landscape. Photo: Elson Li

“Hong Kong’s position in the process of nationwide reform and opening up, as well as modernisation, is unique,” Wang said at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.