C. Direction
of Economic Development
14. As
we move into the 21st century,
we are faced with
a revolution in information
technology and accelerating
globalisation. In the 1960s
and 1970s, before the Mainland’s
opening up and reform,
we seized the opportunity
to transform ourselves
into an international trading
hub. Financial services,
trade, logistics and tourism
have gradually become the
four main pillars of our
economy. Following nearly
30 years of reform and
opening up, China has created
a world economic miracle
and emerged as one of the
world’s most important
economies. In today’s
world, all developed countries
are contemplating their
economic and trade relations
with China. If Hong Kong
is to embrace the era of
globalisation, our primary
task must be to find an
appropriately important
role in the development
of our country. Globalisation
and the rise of China are
now synonymous – adapting
to globalisation and integrating
with the Mainland are not
two contradictory paths
of development for Hong
Kong. Given that Hong Kong
has been reunified with
the motherland, there is
all the more reason for
us to develop into a cosmopolitan
city in which we can all
be proud, that can play
an important role in the
peaceful rise of our country,
and can also exert a positive,
international influence.
15. The
National 11th Five-Year
Plan states clearly that “support
will be given to Hong Kong’s
development on fronts such
as financial services,
logistics, tourism and
information services, and
the maintenance of Hong
Kong’s status as
an international centre
of financial services,
trade and shipping”.
This recognises our dominant
industries and their important
function in our country’s
development. In this regard,
amongst all the cities
in China, Hong Kong’s
role is unique and irreplaceable.
16. At
the Economic Summit convened
last month, we explored
not only the opportunities
and challenges brought
about by the National 11th
Five-Year Plan but also
took a critical look at
our weaknesses and shortcomings,
and endeavoured to chart
the way forward for our
sustainable development. |
