Beijing expects the current Legislative Council to be “more proactive” in aligning Hong Kong with the country’s latest five-year plan, according to local National People’s Congress (NPC) deputies.

They were speaking following a meeting with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in the capital on the sidelines of the “Two Sessions” assemblies during which he directed Legco to come up with practical ways to better implement the executive-led governance system in Hong Kong.

The city’s sole delegate to the NPC Standing Committee, Starry Lee, said she shared her thoughts on how to further develop the governing structure during the hour-long meeting with Ding.

“I think he does, of course, expect [lawmakers in] this term to have a more proactive approach, especially when we talk about how to integrate into the 15th Five-Year Plan,” she said.

“We will work according to his advice.”

Asked about how the next SAR administration could follow through with the city’s own five-year plan, Lee said the focus of the development initiatives would always be geared towards helping the country achieve its policy targets.

Fellow NPC deputy and finance-sector lawmaker Ronick Chan said Ding also called for vigilance in maintaining financial stability, which is vital for Hong Kong.

“In terms of the current financial development, we have a lot of virtual asset products to be introduced in Hong Kong and also the wider application of artificial intelligence in Hong Kong,” Chan said

“[Ding] reminded us to be mindful of the current development, and we must be vigilant [with regards to] the financial stability for Hong Kong.”

Other issues discussed at the meeting included the recent Legco elections, the Wang Fuk Court blaze and “important national security cases”, said other NPC deputies who were at the meeting.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden