Legco passes motion in support of HK?s economic position
Updated at 6.59pm: The Legislative Council on Wednesday passed a motion urging the government to devise ways to help maintain Hong Kong?s economic position in Southern China.
Raymond Ho Chung-tai, who represents the engineering constituency, who proposed the motion, said Hong Kong still needed to clarify plans to boost its economic ties with the mainland.
?With its rapid development, the mainland has been investing a great deal in building infrastructure in recent years. But Hong Kong had not been aware that this can be an opportunity for further co-operation until very lately,? Mr Ho said in Legco.
?I move that the government should explore ways to maintain Hong Kong?s role as the leader in the region,? he said.
He said, for example, work for the proposed Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge had not started yet ? although the idea had been suggested long ago.
Mr Ho also said the government needed to do something to improve the quality of the city?s population.
His motion was supported by the majority of legislators present.
Ronny Tong Ka-wah, from the Civic Party, agreed with Mr Ho?s suggestion and urged the government to enact a fair competition law.
Chan Kam-lam, from the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said he hoped officials could formulate measures friendly to small-and-medium sized firms.
Political and business leaders in Hong Kong are concerned that cities in the mainland, with their rapid economic growth in recent years, may surpass Hong Kong?s position as a financial hub.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen recently announced that an economic summit would be held before September to discuss what Hong Kong should do in response to the mainland?s economic development.
