By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-11-19 05:01:18 | Updated at 2024-11-19 07:14:49
2 hours ago
Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng has urged Hong Kong to assert itself amid intensifying geopolitical uncertainty and go big on reforms, laying down three directions and underlining Beijing’s strong support as he sought to restore investor confidence in the city.
Speaking at the opening of the three-day Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit to a 300-capacity audience on Tuesday, the state leader highlighted three areas of focus for Hong Kong’s financial leaders: deepen financial reforms and innovate to boost the city’s competitiveness, expand cooperation and opening up, and dovetail with national developments.
“The unprecedented changes in the world are accelerating. Global political and economic landscapes are undergoing profound adjustments. There are more and more variants and uncertainties. Regardless of how the external environment changes, we will focus on ourselves. We [will] respond to external uncertainties with self-assertiveness,” he said.
“It is hoped that Hong Kong will make use of this critical period, understand changes accurately, respond to them scientifically, seek them out proactively.”
He added that Hong Kong should embrace and uphold the “Lion Rock Spirit”, a reference to a well-known symbol of the city’s resilience.
“Be enterprising, work hard for continuous enhancement in financial development, and continue to consolidate and enhance [the city’s] status as an international financial centre.”
