LettersLooking beyond national security, Chinese premier’s work report offers Hong Kong much to cheer about

At China’s 13th National People’s Congress on May 22, Premier Li Keqiang delivered a work report for the past year, which highlighted national security in China’s special administrative regions. This does not mean a sacrifice of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, but shows strong concern for the stability of the “one country, two systems” policy and the legal enforcement of Hong Kong’s constitutional obligations.

Well-grounded institutions and a stable society are the foundations of economic growth. Hong Kong’s economy contracted sharply in 2019, mainly due to social conflict. The economy will reboot once this unrest abates.

Premier Li said the government will boost China’s capacity to support technological innovation by accelerating the development of national laboratories and restructuring the system of key national laboratories. Hong Kong has 16 state key laboratories. The city must develop new key national laboratories, covering all research fields at the frontier of innovation here. This requires intensive collaboration, rather than competition, among our universities.

An open competition mechanism will be introduced to select the best candidates to lead future key research projects. As Hong Kong scholars are generally eligible for research funding schemes in China, this mechanism would increase the chances of Hong Kong-based researchers leading national projects, enhancing the city’s role as the innovation hub of the Greater Bay Area, and the country.

The report highlighted China’s regional development strategies, including the Greater Bay Area. The Belt and Road Initiative is another opportunity for Hong Kong to play a leading role in China’s growth plans.

Hong Kong will continue to be China’s window to international trade. The report observed that China is facing changes in the external environment. To promote the opening up of its economy and stabilise foreign investment, the country will need a channel for international investment.