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Tammy Tam


When 70 business heavyweights met top leaders in Beijing last week, including President Xi Jinping, the media naturally focused on the political implications of the trip.
The delegation was led by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, who is now a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
But Beijing's invitation wasn't just motivated by politics. Officially, they were there for celebrations in the lead-up to the 65th National Day.
The highlight of the visit was the group's meeting with Xi on Monday. Back in Hong Kong, thousands of students were beginning a week-long class boycott to protest against Beijing's hard line on arrangements for the 2017 chief executive election.
Now, after a week of university class boycotts and a one-day strike by secondary school pupils, the chaos of the Occupy Central civil disobedience action has begun.
Yet there was no mention of either the boycott or Occupy Central during the talks with Xi. From his point of view, the matter is settled. The National People's Congress Standing Committee last month ruled that the city's first one person, one vote election for chief executive in 2017 would involve only two or three candidates, selected by a majority vote of a 1,200-strong committee.
In Beijing last week, Xi had other matters on his mind: the future of Hong Kong, its role in the country's long-term development, and what the city's tycoons could do.
The media focused heavily on the Xi meeting. But an hour-long briefing by the head of the National Development and Reform Commission is also worthy of attention.
Xu Shaoshi is the chairman of the top economic planning agency, which decides on key infrastructure works and oversees cross-border projects.
In April, it began drafting the country's 13th five-year plan from 2016, and that was the main topic Xu discussed with the visitors from Hong Kong.
His message was simple: so far, under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has not been part of the five-year plan. But with increasing integration with the mainland in recent years, Hong Kong will be taken into consideration when the plan is drawn up.
Earlier this month, the NDRC revealed that Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's office and the relevant government departments would be involved in the Hong Kong part of the next five-year blueprint. Lam oversees mainland affairs.
Under Xi's leadership, there has been a shift towards quality rather than quantity, measured by GDP growth. And Beijing seems particularly keen to make more of Hong Kong's strength in services, particularly in the financial and legal sectors.
It is also hoping that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, which is due to open by the end of next year, will boost development in the city and the Pearl River Delta.
But for all this planning by Beijing and Hong Kong, the business community does not necessarily have to fall into line. So for Beijing, getting their support will be vital.
In Hong Kong, business leaders are free to make their own decisions - and that is the beauty of the city's free-market economy.
So when the NDRC gave the delegation of tycoons and heavyweights from the commercial, industrial and professional sectors a heads-up on the country's future direction and key projects, it was a "reminder" for them, rather than an instruction.
Xi apparently told the group he was concerned about the city's development being held back by the current political row during the closed-door session, noting that Hong Kong was once considered one of Asia's "Four Little Dragons".
Several delegates were reportedly asked to share their views and make suggestions on the city's future. But given the serious political divide, these business leaders will need to do more for the city than just talking to Xi and making money.
Perhaps we'll hear more on the future Hong Kong from the new think tank that former chief executive Tung is planning.
tammy.tam@scmp.com


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(From left) Lee Shau-kee, Li Ka-shing and Tung Chee-hwa meet with President Xi Jinping and NPC Standing Committee chairman Zhang Dejiang.

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Hong Kong

Opinion

Visit to capital was all about shoring up support for its Hong Kong plans


When 70 business heavyweights met top leaders in Beijing last week, including President Xi Jinping, the media naturally focused on the political implications of the trip.


Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}City Beat | Getting the tycoons onside is important business for Beijing

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Visit to capital was all about shoring up support for its Hong Kong plans

City Beat | Getting the tycoons onside is important business for Beijing

Visit to capital was all about shoring up support for its Hong Kong plans