Hong Kong Chief Executive urges NPC deputies to boost city’s integration into China’s development

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is placing high hopes on the city’s 36 deputies sitting in the National People’s Congress (NPC), the top legislature of the nation. The NPC is set to convene its first annual session in Beijing on 5 March, and Lee is urging the Hong Kong NPC deputies to promote the city’s integration into the nation’s overall development and boost the revitalization of the local economy in the upcoming national “two sessions”.

Lee expressed his expectations on Monday when meeting with about 30 Hong Kong NPC deputies, just days before they are set to attend the annual session of the 14th National People’s Congress. The NPC session is also its first plenary gathering since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which concluded in October.

Lee stressed that Hong Kong society is on a fast-track to normalcy, as well as reconnecting to the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. In order to boost Hong Kong’s development momentum, it must grasp the opportunities ahead to proactively integrate into national development, the chief executive added.

As NPC deputies are familiar with matters of the country and Hong Kong, Lee said he hopes they can provide constructive suggestions in the upcoming national session which will enable Hong Kong to better leverage its advantages and will be conducive to address the city’s livelihood issues.

The SAR government will continue to strengthen links with the Hong Kong deputies, unite different sectors of the community, with a view of enhancing the power and value of “patriots administering Hong Kong,” Lee added.

Over 180 Hong Kong members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the nation’s top political advisory body, are also set to leave for Beijing for the annual session of the National Committee of CPPCC, which will hold its first session on 4 March. The CPPCC will provide suggestions and proposals to the NPC, thus the collaboration and unity of the Hong Kong NPC deputies and CPPCC members will be crucial in contributing to the overall development of the country and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s participation in the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC highlights the city’s integration into China’s national development and serves as a platform for Hong Kong to better communicate with the central government, deepen mutual understanding and collaboration, and make more contributions to the country’s modernization and prosperity.