Jointly organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, the Hong Kong Coalition, One Country Two Systems Research Institute, and co-organized by China Resources Holdings, the Seminar “Strategic Planning of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Opportunities for Hong Kong” was successfully convened on 30th March 2021. The seminar was officiated by Vice-Chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, former Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr. Leung Chun-ying. Representatives from government institutions, business, and the academia were invited for a panel discussion.
Seminar: Strategic Planning of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Opportunities for Hong Kong
[30th March 2021] Jointly organized by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, the Hong Kong Coalition, One Country Two Systems Research Institute, and co-organized by China Resources Holdings, the Seminar “Strategic Planning of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the Opportunities for Hong Kong” was successfully convened on 30th March 2021. The seminar was officiated by Vice-Chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, former Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr. Leung Chun-ying. Vice- Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Mr. Hu Zucai, Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology Mr. Wang Zhigang, Standing Committee Member and Deputy Director of the Committee on Economic Affairs, 13th CPPCC National Committee, Mr. Yang Weimin, President of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, Mr. Xu Ze, Vice President of the Renmin University of China, Prof. Liu Yuanchun were invited as guest speakers. At the same time, prestigious guests were invited to the panel discussion, including former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Mr. Charles Li, HKUST Provost and Chair Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Prof. Lionel M. Ni, Former Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Counci,l Mr. Raymond Yip, and Research Director of the Bay Area Hong Kong Centre, Dr. James Wang.
Mr. Leung Chun-ying pointed out in his opening speech that, in March 2021, the Fourth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress formally reviewed and approved Outline of the "14th Five-Year Plan and the Long-Range Objectives Through 2035''. The Outline has specific expectations and requirements for Hong Kong, and also serves as a blueprint and guideline for Hong Kong to integrate into the overall national development. Our country is developing rapidly, but Hong Kong has always lacked an in-depth understanding of the country’s development and planning. Inviting experts from the fields of finance, technology, trade and logistics, this Seminar aims to help resolve the aforementioned "unfamiliarity" problem.
Deputy Director of NDRC, Mr. Hu Zucai, emphasized that, the 14th Five Year Plan continues the particular chapter for supporting the development of Hong Kong and Macau. It also actively considers linking up with Hong Kong and Macao's development in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The document fully demonstrates that the Central Government's firm support for the prosperity and development of Hong Kong and Macao remains unchanged. On one hand, the 14th Five Year Plan supports Hong Kong consolidating and enhancing its competitive advantages; on the other hand, it supports Hong Kong's integration into the overall national development, especially the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
Minister Wang Zhigang emphasized that Hong Kong's technological strength is a crucial component of the national technology strategy. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the state will support the construction of a national scientific research platform in Hong Kong and continue to deepen collaborative innovation between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Mr. Wang then acknowledged Hong Kong researchers’ strong scientific consciousness, high enthusiasm for innovation, and passion for promoting national technological innovation and entrepreneurship development with the Mainland. The state will encourage capable and willing Hong Kong tertiary research institutions to join the national technological innovation and entrepreneurship system. Meanwhile, the state will create more opportunities for Hong Kong youths to develop their careers in the Mainland, especially in the Greater Bay Area.
Mr. Yang Weimin pointed out that the basic logic of the 14th Five -ear Plan is based on the new development stage, to implement the new development philosophies, and to construct a new development paradigm. At the same time, he indicated that the new goals, new tasks, and new measures of the "14th Five-Year Plan" originated from the core values of the "three new fronts''. Regarding the construction of the new development pattern, Mr. Yang pointed out that we have to properly grasp the six keywords: paradigm, circulation, openness, totality, construction and system. He also explained the key tasks of constructing the new development paradigm.
Mr. Xu Ze delivered his speech "Opportunities ahead, further integration into the Greater Bay Area". Mr. Xu pointed out that, while China realizes the 14th Five-Year Plan and 2035 Vision, Hong Kong has a lot to do and will achieve greater self-development. The Central Government has formulated and implemented the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and improved the Hong Kong electoral system to preclude internal and external hostile forces and transform Hong Kong from turmoil into governance. Participating in and advancing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area construction is the most critical channel for Hong Kong to achieve more significant development while integrating into the country's overall development. He put forward three suggestions on impelling the Greater Bay Area's construction: First, strengthen the top-level design and implementation of policies. Second, focus on constructing key regions such as Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park to stimulate the development of related regions. Finally, try to make breakthroughs in key areas such as International Science and Technology Innovation Center construction.
By comparing the similarities and differences with the Outline of the "13th Five-Year Plan", Professor Liu Yuanchun suggested that Hong Kong should integrate into the Mainland's domestic cycle and transform from an international transit point to a regional key pivot in China’s domestic and international dual circulations. By overcoming the shortcomings and focusing on Hong Kong's innovative technology, he proposed that Hong Kong's technological innovation positioning should shift from high-end and internationalized education to technological innovation ecosystem and the real economy.
During the panel discussion session, our distinguished guests discussed how various sectors of Hong Kong can grasp the opportunities of the 14th Five-Year Plan for their developments.
Professor Lionel Ni mentioned that Hong Kong should cultivate an atmosphere favorable for the growth of technological talents, and to retain talents and create higher value for Hong Kong. He further proposed that Hong Kong's technological research must be integrated into the Greater Bay Area for better development. In terms of children's education, research infrastructure, housing for talents, etc., Hong Kong should create a good innovation and technology ecological environment. At the same time, the management system of the Hong Kong government should also keep abreast with the latest development, to delegate more authority to Hong Kong universities in areas such as talent recruitment.
Dr. James Wang reminded that different sectors of Hong Kong should not feel they are "being planned" after the announcement of the "14th Five-Year Plan" but to make advance preparations for future developmental issues. For example, the proposal of the target for carbon neutrality urges us to adopt a more sustainable approach to development. Following the development of the Greater Bay Area, the inflow and outflow of ships, vehicles, and aircraft will increase, and airspace management will become a major obstacle for development. This kind of issue should receive more attention in the future.
Mr. Charles Li Xiaojia later raised the point that Hong Kong has limited physical, direct, and quantitative influences on national development, whereas it has tremendous catalytic, interconnected, and qualitative impact to the country. For example, Hong Kong as a region under the Common Law, has great significance to the national development of finance, capital, and RMB internationalization. With Hong Kong’s institutional advantages, it plays crucial roles in the national innovative development of talent, capital, and intellectual property.
Mr. Raymond Yip indicates that the Domestic-International “Dual Circulations” are two but not separate ones, Hong Kong can play a role of “connector” in linking up both the circulations.
［2021-03-30］
