Hong Kong’s chief official for Beijing affairs, Xia Baolong, has encouraged local entrepreneurs to take a bold step in transforming the city. He has called on them to initiate reforms, foster innovation, and host global events in a bid to boost the city’s financial hub and attract international interest.

As the head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), Xia Baolong assured stakeholders that the central government will continue to value the city and will pull out all the stops to enhance its distinct role and improve its international competitiveness.

The full details of Xia’s speech, which he delivered during a private meeting with 29 influential businesspersons in Shenzhen, were published on the HKMAO’s official website. Prior to this, a report of the meeting was released by Xinhua, where sources revealed that Xia encouraged the business moguls to actively support the city’s growth, possibly through increased participation in government land sales.

In his words, “Hong Kong cannot continue to rely solely on its traditional strengths. It needs to vigorously pursue reforms and chart a new course in the evolving global landscape.”

He also emphasised the pivotal role of science and technology as a key driver of economic growth, urging the city to allocate more resources towards innovation and associated sectors.

Additionally, he highlighted potential strategies for Hong Kong to accelerate enhancements in its tourism sector. This initiative is aimed at investors who are interested in making contributions to the city’s growth, although that is not the sole focus of the article. Rather, it is a call to action for all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping the future of Hong Kong.