Opinion | Xi Jinping passed up chance to meet Leung Chun-ying in Guangdong

The visit by Xi Jinping, the new party chief, to Guangdong recently was significant. It was interesting both for what he did and what he didn't do.

While confirming to the outside world that China will continue with reforms under his leadership, he also raised hopes for further Hong Kong-Guangdong co-operation, especially when he urged the province "to learn from the rich experience of the service industries in Hong Kong".

Should this serve as a wake-up call to our city? Hong Kong lives by its service industries. Our financial, legal, tourism and related sectors have made the city - a place without natural resources - a unique and prosperous metropolis with excellent rule of law.

But what does it mean when our good neighbour, Guangdong, is trying to catch up in the same fields? From a positive point of view, it means the pie will be getting bigger. But that does not necessarily guarantee that Hong Kong will get a bigger slice.

Although Xi was echoing Deng Xiaoping by following his exact route through southern China 20 years ago, he went to two special new sites: Qianhai in Shenzhen and Hengqin in Zhuhai . Both are supposed to be examples of the latest experimental reform projects, especially Qianhai, which is to be a new financial centre with "very special" regulations to be worked out together with Hong Kong by making full use of our expertise.

While in Qianhai, Xi told local officials: "Please carry out reform boldly. The central government has granted you very special policies. Qianhai will be a place for renewal of the service industries [on the mainland]".