Speakers:
Luo Wen, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission;

Lin Shaochun, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and executive vice governor of Guangdong province;

Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, chief secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;

Mi Jian, director of the Policy Research and Regional Development Service of the Macao Special Administrative Region

Chairperson:
Xi Yanchun, spokesperson for the State Council Information Office

Date:
Feb. 28, 2019

Matthew Cheung Kin-chung:

Hong Kong has a special advantage under the "one country, two systems" principle. We have sound rule of law and extensive international connections. We are an international financial center, enjoy a predominant geographical position and have a free and open market. We come out top in rankings on international competitiveness. Hong Kong has been ranked as the world's freest economy for 25 consecutive years. The "one country, two systems" practice is an asset for Hong Kong in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as a key for the bay area to connect with the international community. The Hong Kong SAR government will continue to implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and do its utmost to contribute to the construction of the bay area. Hong Kong will integrate the country's needs with its own strengths, and let the market play its full role. Keeping in view the bigger picture of the country's development, Hong Kong will also seek new growth points for its economy and provide a better life and development opportunities for its citizens. The outline development plan makes clear that Hong Kong's role as an international financial, shipping and trade center as well as as an international aviation hub will be cemented and strengthened. In addition, according to the plan, innovation and high technology will be encouraged here, and the city will establish itself as the center for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. All of this will help Hong Kong build itself into a more competitive global metropolis.

Thanks.

Mi Jian:

You've raised a core question and it is not the first time we have been asked this. Indeed, we will have to address the "one country, two systems" arrangement during the economic integration process in the bay area, otherwise it will impact everything. It took a long while for the outline development plan to roll out, and a lot of study about Macao has been done along the way. How do we practically address this quite complicated issue now that the outline development plan is released? At present it seems the best way out is to simplify, but as to how to simplify is still under discussion.  

As to the answer to your question, you can find it in President Xi's remarks at his meeting with the Hong Kong and Macao delegations on last year's event marking the country's reform and opening-up. The essential ideas are: first, Hong Kong and Macao played an irreplaceable role in the Chinese mainland's reform and opening-up process; second, the biggest reason behind their irreplaceable role was exactly the "one country, two systems" principle; and, third, Hong Kong and Macao are expected to continue to contribute to the country's new round of reform and opening-up, and the precondition of this is, of course, "one country, two systems." Therefore, the key to the success of this round of reform and opening-up is to continue practicing "one country, two systems." The new round of reform and opening-up is actually closely related with the construction of the bay area. You don't have to be too worried about this.

The Southern Daily:

Here is my question: Hong Kong and Macao are home to numerous research and higher educational institutes, where there are plenty of talented young people desiring innovative jobs or eager to establishing start-ups in the mainland. At the same time, the Outline has stipulated that the Greater Bay Area should support young people from Hong Kong and Macao to get employed or establish their own businesses. Therefore, I would like to know what achievements Guangdong province has made in shaping up incubator facilities backing innovation and entrepreneurship? What measures are in the pipeline? Besides, how can the governments of Hong Kong and Macao SARs assist their young people to seize the opportunities emerging from development of the Greater Bay Area?

Lin Shaochun:

Thanks for your questions. Young people from Hong Kong and Macao have always been welcome to work or start their own businesses in Guangdong province. According to incomplete statistics, over 360 start-up teams of young people from Hong Kong and Macao have settled in Nansha of Guangzhou, Qianhai of Shenzhen, and Hengqin of Zhuhai, since the establishment of relevant support platforms. These start-up teams are involved in cyberspace development, finance, science and technology, biology and medicines, and they have created job opportunities for nearly 4,000 people and made significant achievements. From now, the Guangdong government will upgrade the platforms and improve relevant policies on stimulating start-ups and increasing the number of jobs available. To be specific, we will improve platform functions in the following aspects: First, we will establish a base at provincial level in the Greater Bay Area for young people from Hong Kong and Macao to work for innovation concerns or start their own businesses. At the same time, we are seeking insightful exploration of the existing platforms in Qianhai, Nansha and Hengqin, summarizing their operational experiences to offer more precise services in future. We'll expand the platforms to other six cities within the Greater Bay Area. Therefore, there will be 12 platforms in total to help young people from Hong Kong and Macao to develop their careers.

Meanwhile, our policies are designed to improve relevant backup services. First, Guangdong province is addressing employment and start-up services with supportive policies and positive fiscal measures, targeting all young people from Hong Kong and Macao working in the Area. We plan to buttress the policies for encouraging local young people to seek jobs or start their own businesses in the province, which can also be applied to the young people from Hong Kong and Macao, and we will offer our support as long as they abide by the laws. Second, we will create a convenient business environment, streamlining administrative registration and providing a one-stop service for them, as we find they are unfamiliar with how to handle their tax obligations or apply for bank loans. Third, we will continue to review the supportive policies concerning their accommodation, medical insurance and taxation. In this regard, we are conducting holistic analysis and thorough research. All in all, young people from Hong Kong and Macao are welcome to seek employment or carry out a business in Guangdong, where we offer our all-around support to them. We hope they can make great achievements here.

Thank you!

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