Chief Executive Carrie Lam today addressed more than 200 members of the local and international business community at a Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce webinar under its 160th anniversary distinguished speakers series.

Mrs Lam highlighted the tremendous opportunities presented by the 14th Five-Year Plan and encouraged businesses to contribute to and benefit from the national blueprint and action agenda.

She took the webinar participants through the plan's content that concerned Hong Kong, saying that the Hong Kong and Macau chapter contained, first and foremost, the fundamental principles that would contribute to the long-term prosperity and stability of the two special administrative regions.

Mrs Lam noted it is imperative for Hong Kong to fully and faithfully implement "one country, two systems", uphold the constitutional order as enshrined in the Constitution and the Basic Law as well as uphold the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The Chief Executive also said it was essential to implement the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests of the nation and the social stability of the city as well as resolutely prevent and curb interference by external forces in its affairs.

Seen against the unprecedented challenges faced by Hong Kong since the latter half of 2019 till the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law, the reiteration of these important principles underpinning the relationship between the central authorities and Hong Kong are timely and pertinent, she added.

Mrs Lam also said the position of Hong Kong set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan reflected the full support and recognition of the central authorities. In particular, Hong Kong is recognised for its status as an international financial, transportation and trade centre, and a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hong Kong is also encouraged, for the first time, to develop as an international aviation hub, an international innovation and technology hub, a regional intellectual property trading centre, and a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between the nation and the rest of the world, she noted.

“To enable Hong Kong people to seize the opportunities brought about by the development of the nation, the Leading Group on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Development has endorsed various measures to facilitate Hong Kong people to study, live and work in the Mainland cities of the GBA.

“I am sure such supportive measures will continue now that a reference has been made to it in the 14th Five-Year Plan. However, the Hong Kong SAR must at the same time cultivate a stronger sense of national identity amongst the people of Hong Kong.”

In recognition of Hong Kong's status as an international city, the 14th Five-Year Plan supports the city to foster co-operation and exchanges with countries and regions around the world.

Mrs Lam encouraged international companies and chambers of commerce to leverage the city's unique advantages to access the Mainland market and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.