Hong Kong must seize benefits of ‘one country, two systems’ model: Zheng Yanxiong

Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong has urged the city to tap the opportunities arising from the “one country, two systems” governing model and drive efforts to contribute to local and national development.

Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, also said on Saturday the city needed to embark on a path to unleash “new productive forces” through reform and innovation.

“Fully grasp the similarities and differences between Hong Kong and the mainland, give full play to the institutional advantages of one country, two systems and closely follow Hong Kong’s actual situation,” Zheng said in an address to the city’s deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislature.

The deputies, together with another 190 delegates to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) – China’s top political advisory body – are in Beijing to attend the country’s biggest annual political gathering known as lianghui or the “two sessions”.

Zheng said to drive Hong Kong’s economic and social development in 2025, it was necessary to understand that the one country, two systems model had entered a new stage and the city should aim for better growth and greater contributions to the nation.

The Beijing official cited Chinese President Xi Jinping’s views on promoting the integration of technological and industrial innovation, and strengthening the role of education for science, technology and talent, saying they applied to Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong must reform and innovate, and take the new path of unleashing new productive forces,” Zheng said, referring to productivity featuring advanced technology, and higher efficiency and quality.