Hong Kong’s NPC deputies converge ahead of ‘two sessions’ in Beijing

Hong Kong’s leader met local deputies to the country’s top legislature ahead of Beijing’s annual key political gathering, during which representatives will raise proposals aimed at boosting the city’s economy through tapping national development.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with the 36 local deputies of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the government headquarters, days before the annual “two sessions” get under way next week in Beijing.

During the two-hour meeting, Lee mainly listened to proposals presented by the deputies, which centred on boosting the city’s economic growth by tapping national development, according to the attendees.

“He also asked us how the government can cooperate in a bid to allow deputies to better serve their duties,” NPC deputy Maggie Chan Man-ki said.

Chan said she would table proposals on strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a leading talent hub within the Greater Bay Area and promote the flow of needed resources among the 11 cities in the scheme.

The bay area is a national development plan that strives to turn Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities into a new economic powerhouse for the country.

Another deputy, Gordon Lam Chi-wing, said topics discussed during the meeting included economic growth by holding mega-events, the low-altitude economy and cross-border data flow, while also proposing measures to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international shipping hub.