Hong Kong ‘set to thrive’, Chinese premier says as he pledges Beijing’s support and points to Greater Bay Area opportunities

Delivering his final work report, Li Keqiang also underscores need to uphold constitutional order in Hong Kong and principle of patriots administering local affairs

City leader John Lee says administration will strive to expand economy by seizing opportunities offered by bay area blueprint and Belt and Road Initiative

Reading Time:5 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers his work report at the opening session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Willa Wu

Published: 10:52pm, 5 Mar 2023Updated: 7:48pm, 7 Mar 2023

Corrected [7:47pm, 7 Mar, 2023]

[7:47pm, 7 Mar, 2023]
This article has been updated to correct a translated remark by Zheng Yanxiong. He said his office would help Hong Kong to maximise its attraction to foreign investors, customers and innovators through the city's cultural inclusiveness.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged Beijing would support Hong Kong’s economic growth and maintain its long-term prosperity as he highlighted the promotion of the Greater Bay Area as part of efforts to ensure the global financial centre was “set to thrive” while delivering his final work report on Sunday.

The outgoing leader also underscored the need to uphold the constitutional order in Hong Kong and the principle of patriots administering local affairs, after noting Beijing had exercised effective jurisdiction over the city with the enactment of the national security law and the reform of its electoral system.

Li said the “one country, two systems” governing policy should be “fully, faithfully, and resolutely” implemented with a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong.

“We should remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macau and ensure that constitutional order in the two regions is upheld as stipulated in China’s constitution and the Basic Laws of the two regions, and that Hong Kong and Macau are administered by patriots,” he told the opening of the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, in the capital.

President Xi Jinping waves as Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (back row, second right) offers a traditional greeting at the end of the opening session of the National People’s Congress on Sunday. Photo: Dotdotnews

Li’s speech was welcomed by delegates and political analysts as a sign that residents should feel confident the city could expand its economy in new directions given Beijing’s vow of increased support.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu was seated in the third row behind President Xi Jinping, and Lee joined his hands in a traditional greeting after the state leader waved at him at the end of the session, a rare move deemed an acknowledgement from the most powerful man in the country during its highest-profile, most politically symbolic event.