-
Advertisement
Carrie Lam
Hong KongPolitics

China’s ‘Greater Bay Area’ plan will not compromise Hong Kong’s judicial independence, city leader Carrie Lam says

At meeting of leaders from pan-Pearl River Delta, chief executive also extols virtues of soon-to-open high-speed rail line to mainland

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
A statue representing justice on the Court of Final Appeal building in Central district, Hong Kong. The city’s leader said its judicial independence would not be compromised under Beijing’s bay area plan. Photo: AFP
Tony Cheung

Hong Kong’s leader said on Wednesday the city’s judicial independence and other strengths would not be compromised under Beijing’s plan to integrate it and its neighbours into a dynamic economic hub.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also said she expected new cross-border transport projects, such as a high-speed rail line to open later this month, to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an international logistics hub.

Lam made the remarks as she visited Guangzhou to attend a series of meetings. She was at the opening of a high-ranking regional forum alongside top officials from the pan-Pearl River Delta – an area encompassing Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong province and eight other mainland provinces or regions in southern and southwestern China.

Advertisement

The regional forum has been organised every year, or every other year, since 2004. Mainland officials who attended the opening ceremony this year included Guangdong party chief Li Xi and governor Ma Xingrui.

Carrie Lam was at the opening of a regional forum alongside top officials from the pan-Pearl River Delta. Photo: Handout
Carrie Lam was at the opening of a regional forum alongside top officials from the pan-Pearl River Delta. Photo: Handout
Advertisement
Speaking at a legal services forum organised by Hong Kong’s justice department, and Trade Development Council, Lam dismissed critics’ worries over Beijing’s “Greater Bay Area” plan, which aims at integrating Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities into an innovation hub rivalling Silicon Valley.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x