The session is part of the key annual meetings of the top legislature and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top advisory body, commonly known as the “two sessions”, or lianghui.
Li pledged Beijing would support Hong Kong and Macau’s economic growth, improve the livelihood of their residents and maintain their long-term prosperity and stability.
“[We support Hong Kong and Macau] to give full play to their own advantages and characteristics, actively participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, and better integrate into the overall development of the country,” he said.
The bay area is a national-level development blueprint that lays out strategies to integrate nine Guangdong provincial cities, alongside Hong Kong and Macau, into an economic powerhouse, as well as an innovation and technology hub.
The plan has appeared in the premier’s work reports since its first inclusion in 2017.
The late Li Keqiang also called on Hong Kong to “further advance” its involvement in the Greater Bay Area initiative last year, rather than this year’s message of active participation.
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu, who also attended the meeting, said on Tuesday that his administration would give full pay to the “power and value” of the principle of “patriots” governing Hong Kong, while also uniting society and fully developing the economy.
Lee added that he was very encouraged by the premier’s support for the city.
Based on Li Qiang’s latest report, Rock Chen Chong-nin, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, said he expected the financial hub would have a key role to play in helping the country sail through recent economic challenges.
“Risk exposure, geopolitical tension and the property market downturn will still hinder growth. Hong Kong’s role as China’s most internationalised city will only become more important this year,” he said.
He added that Li’s remarks reflected that Hong Kong should “work harder” in taking cross-border collaborations to a new level in order to contribute to the country’s goal of high-quality development.
Deputy Wilson Shum Ho-Kit said Beijing’s emphasis on Hong Kong’s strengths meant the city should focus on attracting foreign investment in the year ahead.
The politician also brushed aside concerns that a proposed home-grown security legislation, required under Article 23 of Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, would hinder such efforts.
“Authorities have made it clear that they took reference from many common law jurisdictions in drafting the bill. This will only boost the confidence of investors,” he said.
