The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) held a seminar today to discuss the implications of the second sessions of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee for Hong Kong’s future development.

The seminar was hosted by Head of the CEPU Stephen Wong. Four CEPU Expert Group members, who are themselves deputies to the NPC and members of the CPPCC National Committee, gave keynote remarks.

These were Vice-chairperson of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee Wong Yuk-shan, Hong Kong deputies to the NPC Nicholas Chan and Allen Yeung, and Hong Kong member of the CPPCC National Committee Charles Ng. They discussed key messages from the “two sessions” and their takeaways from the sessions.

Mr Wong said the government work report, presented during the “two sessions”, included significant highlights relating to Hong Kong, and development proposals pertaining to various matters. He said various sectors of the community are proactively studying, promoting and implementing the spirit of the “two sessions”.

He highlighted that by convening today’s seminar and hearing the views and suggestions of Expert Group members, their insights on the opportunities for Hong Kong and the specific policy measures that might be pursued can be tapped.

The seminar was held in hybrid mode and attended by more than 30 Expert Group members. Attendees had the chance to put questions to the four keynote speakers and contribute to lively and in-depth exchanges and discussions.

Mr Wong said that many of the directions for development laid out in the “two sessions” are of great significance and relevance to Hong Kong.

These include the Greater Bay Area, the accelerated development of new quality productive forces, promotion of the digital economy, building a high-quality education system, self-reliance in high-quality science and technology, upholding Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, green and low-carbon development, and linkage with high-standard international trade rules and regulations.

The Expert Group members agreed that Hong Kong should give full play to its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, capitalise on its strengths in finance, innovation and technology, and professional services, and strengthen its role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, to contribute to the country’s high-quality development and grasp development opportunities arising from it.

The Government said the CEPU will analyse the views and suggestions put forward by the experts and conduct research to provide the Chief Executive with various sources of expertise.