John Lee stresses Hong Kong’s business leaders have autonomy but can contribute more

City leader’s assurance follows call from Xia Baolong, Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, for the business sector to support growth

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Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Xia Baolong, Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs, has urged the business sector to support growth. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 1:30pm, 12 Nov 2024Updated: 4:52pm, 12 Nov 2024

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has assured that Hong Kong’s business leaders have the freedom to make their own investment decisions, despite a top Beijing official’s call for their active participation in the city’s long-term development.

But the city leader also said on Tuesday the business sector could further contribute to making Hong Kong a better home, amid concerns the central government’s call would go against long-standing free market principles.

Political heavyweight Tam Yiu-chung earlier urged the administration to communicate better with the business community and offer more certainty when asking them to take action.

Both Lee and Tam’s comments followed a Friday closed-door meeting in which Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, urged 29 business leaders from property companies, chambers of commerce, tech firms, and state-owned enterprises to support the city’s development.

Development chief Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said Xia had encouraged property developers to support government initiatives, including the Northern Metropolis project, through active participation in bidding.

In response to the Post’s question on whether Beijing’s call would potentially violate Hong Kong’s free market principles, Lee said enterprises could still make their own decisions.