Hong Kong’s role to be discussed in China’s top legislature annual session
Sole delegate to National People’s Congress Starry Lee expects the city’s role in finance, trade, and innovation to be discussed in 15th five-year plan
China’s top legislative body will review the nation’s next five-year development plan in its annual session in March, where Hong Kong’s role in contributing to national development is also expected to be discussed, according to the city’s sole delegate to the body.
Starry Lee Wai-king, a member of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said on Saturday that the proposed agenda for the session – which includes the 15th five-year plan, as well as the government’s work report and budgets – would play a crucial role in shaping the country’s short-to-medium-term development.
Lee said she was gathering opinions from the Hong Kong public before formulating proposals to submit at the session.
“The focus will revolve around Hong Kong’s role in the 15th five-year plan, including further strengthening the city’s status as a financial, shipping, trade and innovation and technology centre,” she said.
“The annual ‘two sessions’ are important political events and the most important political meetings for the country,” she said. “All major decisions are made by the National People’s Congress.”
“Hong Kong also has a role in the 15th five-year plan,” she added.
In the full national development blueprint released in October, the central government pledged its support for Hong Kong and Macau’s “long-term prosperity and stability”.