HK enjoys endless opportunities as inalienable part of China: HK chief executive

HONG KONG - Hong Kong enjoys endless opportunities as it leverages China's National 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Wednesday in the last annual policy address during his tenure.

Against the background of profound changes in the world's political and economic landscapes, as well as China's increasingly prominent and leading role in the global economy, Hong Kong's dual advantages of "one country, two systems" and its role as the "super-connector" are becoming more apparent, Leung said.

"Leveraging the National 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong enjoys endless opportunities, as we excel in 'what the country needs, and what Hong Kong is good at'," he said.

Leung made the remarks when delivering the policy address for the year of 2017, the fifth since he was sworn in on July 1, 2012.

In retrospect of Hong Kong's achievements during the past four years, Leung said, Hong Kong's economy has seen moderate growth and receding inflation, as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government maintained a sound fiscal position; the working population increased in total by 160,000, while the unemployment rate remained at a very low level.

"Apart from reinforcing the competitive edges of traditional industries, the government also strives to promote the development of emerging industries," he said.

Leung stressed Hong Kong's position as "an inalienable part" of China.

"There is absolutely no room for independence or any form of separation," he said, "Under 'one country, two systems,' every one of us has the obligation to fully comply with the Basic Law and safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."

The Hong Kong SAR government attaches great importance to the executive-legislative relationship, and seeks to work with all Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of different political affiliations, Leung said, adding that the community also expects the executive authorities and the legislature to "perform their respective functions and waste no time or opportunity in jointly promoting Hong Kong's social and economic development.