Hong Kong chief executive says city in "enviable" spot

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that Hong Kong will take “another leap forward” in the next five years. Lee said that despite difficulties in recent years, the city is in an “enviable position” in terms of opportunities.

The special administrative region’s leader was the keynote speaker at the opening of the South China Morning Post China Conference: Hong Kong 2022 on Wednesday. The conference looks at how the city has progressed in the 25 years since it was returned to China by the British. Conference sponsors included Asia Society Hong Kong, Manulife, Chinese University of Hong Kong, DBS Bank, Qianhai International Liaison Services, ZA Bank and the Trade Development Council.

“It is clear that we have come a long and rewarding way, that we are in an enviable position, despite the challenges of the past few years,” Lee said.

The two-day event was attended by business and political leaders, discussing various topics, such as the Hong Kong economy, housing issues, and its status as a global financial centre. The guests also discussed Hong Kong’s future as an insurance hub for the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The GBA is a Chinese government project that will link Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong province to create a powerful economic and business zone.

Lee said that Hong Kong’s future remains based on the “one country, two systems” policy in relation to Mainland China. This gives Hong Kong a strategic “East-meets-West” position, further strengthened by the talent and resilience of its residents.

“I am determined that the whole government will be working, pragmatically and passionately, for Hong Kong – and our country, building a future we can all be proud of,” Lee said.