‘Two sessions’ 2022: Premier Li Keqiang vows focus on Hong Kong’s prosperity through integration with mainland China, in departure from usual stance against foreign forces
- State official was delivering his latest work report at nation’s annual parliamentary sessions, but left out common theme last year of foreign interference
- Headcount of city delegates to sessions severely affected by local Covid-19 crisis
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has vowed to focus on Hong Kong’s prosperity through better integration with the country, in a departure from past warnings of the city being undermined by foreign forces.
Li made the comments on Saturday as he delivered his work report at the opening ceremony of the annual sessions of China’s parliament.
Among the economic policies affecting Hong Kong and highlighted in the report was Li’s pledge about commitment to the Greater Bay Area, aimed at turning Hong Kong, Macau and nine other southern Chinese cities into an innovation powerhouse.
“We will help Hong Kong and Macau develop their economies and improve the well-being of their people, see that these two regions better integrate themselves into the country’s overall development, and maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau,” he said.
