National Day: Hong Kong leader John Lee vows to maintain competitiveness, boost economic vibrancy as he hails Beijing’s support

Chief Executive John Lee addresses guests at reception as part of celebrations for the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China

He cites mainland help in battling fifth Covid wave earlier this year, while pledging to manage pandemic risks without ‘lying flat’

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Hong Kong’s leader and top officials attend a flag-raising ceremony in the morning to mark National Day. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 10:07am, 1 Oct 2022Updated: 10:40am, 4 Oct 2022

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to maintain the city’s competitiveness and boost its economic vibrancy after nearly three years of battling the coronavirus pandemic, as he hailed the financial hub’s “irreplaceably distinct advantages” supported by Beijing on National Day.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed about 1,400 guests, including mainland Chinese officials and diplomats, at a reception on Saturday, as part of celebrations for the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, held amid heavy police presence and, for the first time, without any protests.

A day after the government announced the easing next week of social-distancing measures, with daily Covid-19 caseloads hovering at about 4,000, Lee vowed to keep Hong Kong competitive while managing pandemic risks without “lying flat”.

John Lee, flanked by officials and political figures at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Photo: Jelly Tse

“Guided by proper risk management, the government strives to safeguard people’s livelihood, provide the community with the strongest economic vibrancy, maintain Hong Kong’s international competitiveness and enhance the city’s impetus for growth,” he said.

“We should be confident in our home because Hong Kong has the irreplaceably distinct advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world.”

Lee proceeded to name some of Hong Kong’s “unique advantages”, such as being the world’s freest economy, an international financial, trading and shipping centre, Asia’s largest asset management hub and the only city in the region with five universities in the world’s top 100.