Opinion | How Hong Kong can fulfil its crucial role in China’s modernisation

The third plenum of the Communist Party of China’s 20th Central Committee, which concluded on July 18, provided a clear long-term development plan for the country over the next five years and beyond. Comprehensive in scope, large in scale, broad and deep in reach and consequential in all respects, the plenum’s visionary grand design has promising implications for Hong Kong.

Reform is central to the plenum and road map, as it has been since setting the country on an impressive growth trajectory more than four decades ago. The word “reform” is mentioned more than 140 times in the resolution adopted by the Central Committee, alongside new strategies to achieve “high-quality development”.

The blueprint reaffirms the nation’s commitment to comprehensive reform and opening up. It provides a road map through economic and financial directives as well as outlining policies related to important social issues including people’s well-being, healthcare, ecological conservation, social governance, national security and party leadership. More than 300 reform measures have been stipulated for implementation in the next five years.

Hong Kong has all the desired qualities and strategic advantages needed to play an integral role in the deepening of the nation’s reforms and make greater contributions to its modernisation. This was highlighted in President Xi Jinping’s recent reply to Hong Kong entrepreneurs with roots in Ningbo who had written to him. It is a recognition of the contributions of Hong Kong’s business community, and also serves as a wider call for all in the city to contribute more to the country, which will require the engagement and participation of all sectors.

Hong Kong needs to go further as the nation embarks on a new phase of growth. We need to serve as both a superconnector and a super value-adder linking the mainland with the rest of the world to bring in talented people, know-how and capital.