Turbulence ahead: Hong Kong chief executive expects ‘emotional resistance’ as he advances Beijing development plans
Leung Chun-ying offers insights at media forum on city’s economic blueprint
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying expects Hong Kong to encounter “emotional resistance and political interference” domestically when the government presses ahead with initiatives spelt out in Beijing’s 13th five-year development plan.
The city risked ignoring opportunities on the mainland at its own peril, he said. For Hong Kong to play its role as a “super connector” – Leung’s favoured buzzword – to the mainland, there needed to be proper support not only from the government but all parties in the city, he said.
“The work of the Hong Kong government needs the support of the whole society, especially from the lawmakers,” he told a media forum on the economic blueprint.
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“During the implementation [of the five-year plan], Hong Kong might encounter some emotional resistance and political interference,” said Leung, without identifying any party or persons.
He said the government would push for cooperation with the mainland in technology, R&D, innovation, logistics, trade, professional and high-end services, yuan trade, and other areas.
Both sides of the political divide were swift to react to his comments. Pro-establishment lawmakers said they shared Leung’s frustrations while several others cautioned that labelling any debate on the five-year plan as an obstacle would fuel tensions.
Former DAB chairman Tam Yiu-chung told the Post that pan-democratic lawmakers were the most likely subjects of Leung’s remarks. He said that continued filibustering had previously blocked or prolonged the construction of several development projects linking Hong Kong to the mainland.
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But he didn’t expect “political interference” to have a substantial impact on the implementation of the development blueprint in the city.
“They can’t block all [legislation], they only prolong the process”, Tam said.
Leung’s comments did not go down well with others who feared divisions would only widen if debate was seen as an obstacle.
“As the chief executive, he should spare no effort to bring the society together, even when facing opposition,” said Chung Kim-wah, an assistant professor of public policy at Polytechnic University.
“His vague words leave too much room for explanation… It could be localists, the younger generation and the pro-democratic lawmakers,” Chung said, “Anyone could use his words as a tool to go against the opposite parties.”
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In his speech, Leung stressed the vast number of employment opportunities available to the city’s younger generation in the latest development plan.
The 13th five-year plan, released last week, will guide the country’s economic and social development from 2016 through 2020. In the blueprint, Beijing expects its economy to grow by more than 6.5 per cent per year.
Leung also warned that competition from mainland cities would only heighten. “We can’t avoid the reality that Hong Kong will face more competition from mainland cities and industries during the 13th five-year plan until 2020.”
At the forum, Tiong Hiew King, executive director of Ming Pao’s parent company Media Chinese International, condemned Hong Kong’s pro-independence forces, which he warned would “ruin Hong Kong’s future”.
“Hong Kong should not and cannot be independent,” he said.
Before the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday morning, Leung was asked by the Post what he meant by “political interference”.
He said: “Many plans and works in Hong Kong are met with politicised resistance. We need to work along with the nation’s development strategy, because Hong Kong will benefit.
“But while cooperation and integration are main trends in the global economy, there are people in Hong Kong who politicise things and are very sensitive about integration.”
He added that there were also people in Hong Kong who suggested it was wrong for mainland authorities to include the city in their plans.
“I think we need to be pragmatic on our relationship with the nation,” Leung said.
Earlier this month, Zhang Dejiang, the state leader overseeing Hong Kong affairs, warned that Hong Kong should avoid “politicising” its economic problems and resorting to “street politics” as it would tarnish the city’s image.
Additional reporting by Tony Cheung
