Solid policy gains expected in financial services, technology for Hong Kong, with Lam flanked by relevant ministers at Beijing talks
- Meeting with state officials set for next week once top-level Communist Party meeting concludes, and could feature Vice-Premier Han Zheng
- Contingent of city officials indicates detailed discussions on specific policies, as pro-establishment politicians demand progress
Hong Kong’s leader will be flanked by her ministers in charge of financial services and technology in Beijing next week following a high-level meeting of China’s leadership, the Post has learned, signalling the prospect of material policy gains for the city in those areas.
She said the discussions with state officials would cover her policy proposals in matters such as aviation and the Greater Bay Area, Beijing’s ambitious scheme to integrate Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and eight other southern Chinese cities into an economic and technological powerhouse.
Hong Kong’s pro-establishment politicians said on Monday that Lam needed to make good use of the trip to bring about the swift introduction of long-awaited financial and cross-border initiatives.
They also hoped that the delegation would have the opportunity to meet Vice-Premier Han Zheng, the state leader in charge of Hong Kong affairs, as well as the bay area project.
Analysts speculated last week that Lam pushed back her policy speech because Beijing wanted her to wait for the conclusion of the 19th Communist Party Congress’ fifth plenum.
The high-level meeting, from October 26 to 29, is held to chart China’s economic and political direction for the next five years and decide how Beijing responds to increasing Western pressure over its role in global affairs.