Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) chairman Wang Huning stressed the need to deepen reform and the country's opening up in his work report delivered on Monday at the start of the annual session of China’s top political advisory body.

The state leader also spoke about pushing ahead with high-quality development and ensuring social stability.

"Covid-19 containment was stabilised; high-quality growth has made solid progress; technological innovations have made breakthroughs; and we have also cemented the foundation for safe development and aggressively guaranteed people's livelihoods," Wang summed up the country's achievements in the past year.

On Hong Kong and Macau, he said the CPPCC helped youth in the two SARs to better integrate into the country’s development.

"We have mobilised youth from Macau and Hong Kong to learn more about the overall development pattern of the mainland."

Local CPPCC member Andrew Chan, who's also archbishop of the Anglican Church, said the work report highlighted the importance for Hong Kong and the rest of the country to work together.

"I think integration is very important because we're talking about just one point in the report, about unity and diversity.

"In China, there are many different religions... so we will work together to build up the whole country. I think it's very important."

Another local CPPCC delegate and president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Wingco Lo, said Hong Kong can play a key role in the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area.

President Xi Jinping and other state leaders attended the opening of the CPPCC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The annual session of the top advisory body runs from March 4 to March 10.
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Last updated: 2024-03-04 HKT 17:57