SAR plans to play a more proactive role in reform, opening-up process

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will more actively integrate with the country's economic growth, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Monday.

The city's top official added that in order to fulfill the pledge, the SAR government will continue to safeguard the "one country, two systems" principle, and play a more proactive role in linking its own development with the nation's.

Meanwhile, the SAR government will also make efforts to provide more development opportunities for young people from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland to help them realize their dreams.

Lam made the remarks in a speech at a seminar in Hong Kong to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the nation's reform and opening-up.

She said that Hong Kong has actively participated in the past 40 years of reform and opening-up, bringing investment, talent, professional services and a widened international network to the Chinese mainland.

In the future, the SAR will become more proactive in integrating itself into the nation through actively participating in national development strategies like the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as hastening steps to build itself into an international innovation and technology center, Lam noted.

Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR, also attended the seminar. In his speech, the liaison chief called on the city to make full use of the "one country, two systems" principle in order to seek continued progress amid the country's flourishing economy.

Meanwhile, Wang noted that Hong Kong's more comprehensive integration into the country should be realized in the new era－during which the nation is further deepening and accelerating its reform and opening-up.

Reform and opening-up brought the nation significant economic progress in the past 40 years, and will continue to fuel the country. Hong Kong will continue to thrive if the city makes the most of the "one country, two systems" principle and enhances its integration into the nation, Wang concluded.

The seminar was also attended by influential figures from legal and business sectors.

Han Dayuan, a member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee under the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said people need to cherish the "one country, two systems" principle and uphold the rule of law in the face of future challenges under the country's further reform and opening-up.

Victor Fung Kwok-king, chairman of Fung Group, said Hong Kong is looking to redefine its role in serving the mainland and developing itself and is aimed at helping mainland enterprises eyeing the global market.

Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of the Hong Kong-based Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said the city should continue its role as "connector, investor and operator" to better capitalize on opportunities offered by the BRI, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and RMB internationalization.

He Shusi and Sun Feier contributed to this story.