Policy Address

13.         Over the past 35 years, Hong Kong’s development owes much to our country’s reform and opening up.  More than two months ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee announced that our country would comprehensively deepen reform and open up further.  This will bring new opportunities for Hong Kong.  We have to seize these opportunities and properly respond to the changes.

14.         The Central Government has announced the goal of basically achieving liberalisation of trade in services between the Mainland and Hong Kong by the end of the National 12th Five-Year Plan period.  Both the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government attach great importance to the goal and have made continuous efforts to realise it.  The MoC and the Guangdong Provincial Government are also pressing ahead to achieve early liberalisation of trade in services between Hong Kong and Guangdong by the end of this year, with active support from the SAR Government.  At the same time, the SAR Government has started preparations for the National 13th Five-Year Plan.  We have initially identified some issues for study and will submit them to the National Development and Reform Commission for consideration after consulting the relevant sectors and committees.

15.         We should capitalise on, consolidate and enhance our existing advantages, strengthen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas economies in every aspect, and foster diversity and robust growth in our industries.

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