Chief Executive John Lee started his third Policy Address on Wednesday morning with a call to embrace change, noting Beijing’s support for Hong Kong’s development.

Sporting a green tie designed by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University showcasing Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, Lee opened his speech at the Legislative Council by noting the resolution adopted at the third plenum of the Communist Party in July to further deepen reform to advance Chinese modernisation.

“The Resolution calls on Hong Kong to fully harness the institutional strengths of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ while consolidating and enhancing its status aas an international hub for high-calibre talents, to exert a greater role in our country’s opening up to the world, and to deepen collaboration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area through better harmonisation of rules and mechanisms,” he said.

Lee said from the time he was running for the top job, he has been emphasising the need to embrace reform, and had put in place a series of measures to tackle issues such as enhancing district services, cutting waiting times for public housing, and addressing intergenerational poverty.

“I believe that we must maintain our development momentum and self-renewal, and that we must embrace changes while staying principled, innovative and flexible in meeting challenges and opportunities.”

The CE had earlier said his latest policy blueprint will focus on lifting the economy and on livelihood issues. The official theme for the address is “Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together.”