Hong Kong urged to boost competitiveness as Shanghai Free-trade Zone looms
Hong Kong urged to enhance competitiveness and work harder to prepare for the challenge of the looming free-trade zone in Shanghai
The head of the nation's top consultative body has advised Hong Kong people to stay united and work harder to prepare for challenges from the free-trade zone in Shanghai.
The remarks yesterday by Yu Zhengsheng, the chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee, marked the second such call in two days from a top mainland leader.
Yu told a delegation from the Friends of Hong Kong Association in Beijing that the city must enhance its competitiveness in light of China's continual opening-up.
"Mr Yu called on us to stay united and comply with the Basic Law under all circumstances," said Chan Wing-kee, the association's permanent honorary chairman. "[He] said Hong Kong must enhance its competitiveness as the country continues to open up. The state leader said the fortune of Hong Kong is closely intertwined with that of the country."
Yu's remarks echoed those made by Wang Guangya , director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, who told the same delegates on Tuesday that Hong Kong should think about whether it wanted to focus on political struggle or on economic development.
Chan said an hour-long discussion in the CPPCC hall yesterday did not touch on the city's looming political reform.
He said Yu, a member of the Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee and former Shanghai party secretary, issued the unity call in response to expressions of anxiety from some members about the impact of the free-trade zone.
