Entering a new era and blazing a new trail
30 September 2018
Tomorrow will be the 69th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. It takes on extra significance as this year also marks the 40th anniversary of the implementation of the reform and opening up policy. On this joyous occasion, I extend my wishes to our country on its successful development on all fronts. I also wish Hong Kong continuous prosperity and stability.
At the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL HK Section) last week (on 22 September), I was one of the guests riding on the Vibrant Express train to witness the historic launch.
 |
A look at the history of transport between Guangdong Province and Hong Kong reveals that our first railway to Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong, a.k.a. Canton, was opened 107 years ago. That rail link starting from Kowloon was aptly named the Kowloon-Canton Railway. Today, the opening of the XRL HK Section heralds Hong Kong’s latest move in blazing a new trail in the “express rail” era.
The XRL HK Section stretches 26 kilometres across the boundary to meet the Shenzhen to Guangzhou section, forming part of the 25 000 kilometre-long national high speed rail network. Hence it not only links up three leading metropolises within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, but also connects Hong Kong with major Mainland cities further afield. With the stronger regional ties and synergy thus created, the development prospects are immense.
The past four decades saw our country’s tremendous economic and social development. China is now the world’s second largest economy, largest industrial manufacturer, largest goods trader and largest foreign exchange reserve holder. Its gross domestic product (GDP) exceeds RMB 80 000 billion, accounting for 15% of the world total. It is also a major player in the areas of international politics, economy and technology. Being Chinese, we take much pride in these national achievements in various spheres.
Hong Kong has been developing jointly with the country throughout the reform and opening up process. We have been a “contributor” as well as “beneficiary” all along. In the early days of the reform and opening up, Hong Kong investors were the first to go north. Dr James WU and her daughter Dr Annie WU set up the first Sino-foreign joint venture, namely Beijing Air Catering Limited, together with the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China. Mr Henry FOK developed White Swan Hotel, the first modernised five-star hotel in Guangzhou, jointly with the Tourism Administration of the Guangzhou Municipality. Sir Y. K. PAO made a donation to build Beijing’s first five-star Zhaolong Hotel, which was named after his father Mr PAO Siu-Loong. All these enterprises were pioneered by Hong Kong businessmen.
At the same time that our entrepreneurs put in capital, technology, experience and professional talent to support the country’s reform and opening up, our city also benefits from the opportunities brought about by its rapid and flourishing development.
Today, Hong Kong is still the largest source of Mainland’s inward direct investment. As at the end of 2017, our investment accounted for 53.1% of the Mainland’s total overseas direct investment. Hong Kong is a bridging intermediary between the Mainland and the international market. We are a testing ground for the country’s “early and pilot implementation” of opening up, as well as a two-way service platform helping our country go global and attract foreign investment.
With the full support of the country, we will continue to leverage our strengths under major national strategies, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Greater Bay Area, and inject impetus to Hong Kong’s future economy as a whole.
 |
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up of the country, which is of high historic significance, the steering committee led by me will co-ordinate signature celebratory events to be presented by the SAR Government under the theme of “Joint Development‧Shared Prosperity”. All sectors and organisations in the community are also encouraged to hold similar activities. It is an opportune time to review Hong Kong’s active role in the country’s reform and opening up process in the past, and explore how we can continue to support its rapid development in the future.
While celebrating the country’s 40 years of reforms and opening up, Hong Kong is working to integrate itself into the national development. Three new major infrastructural projects are strengthening our connectivity with the Mainland. One of them, the XRL HK Section, has already been opened whereas the remaining two, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point, will start operation successively. These three connectivity facilities will lay a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s development under the Greater Bay Area and Belt and Road strategies, and add to the competitive edge of our city.
We must continue to gear up, stride ahead and keep pace with the times. Only then can we secure our place on the “fast train” of China’s development, which is going to take us forward at full speed.
