Former Hong Kong leader asks city to look at bigger picture for China’s development
Tung Chee-hwa says Hongkongers should look to President Xi Jinping’s plan and grasp opportunities on offer
Former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa has urged the city to take better advantage of the economic development of the mainland, warning that Hong Kong cannot afford to be left behind, stuck in “endless internal rifts”.
He advised Hongkongers to study President Xi Jinping’s report from last month’s Communist Party Congress and grasp the opportunities on offer, or risk losing the city’s advantages.
Tung, now an elder statesman and vice-chairman of the nation’s top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, was giving a speech on Wednesday at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai to mark the third anniversary of Our Hong Kong Foundation, the think tank he set up in 2014.
Briefing lined up for senior Hong Kong officials on Xi Jinping’s Communist Party congress report
He devoted about half of his 25-minute speech to hailing China’s rise over the past five years with Xi in charge, citing his progress in fighting poverty and corruption.
“China is getting more open and more prosperous. If we can grab the opportunities, we will see development,” Tung said.
“It is not going to be easy, but it is better than standing still. Hong Kong needs repositioning and to coordinate with the national development in order to map out its development direction.”
