'One country, two systems', cornerstone of HK business devpt: Gordon Lam

Editor's note: In the run-up to the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, China Daily talked to some Hong Kong residents, including expatriates living in the city, from various sectors, with different backgrounds, about the close bond between the city and its motherland. This is the fifth piece of the series.

Gordon Lam Chi-wing, chairman of Hong Kong Technology Association and a Hong Kong member to Guangdong Provincial Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attributed the city's prosperity over the past 24 years to "one country, two systems". Here're some sentiments he shared:

Since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, "one country, two systems" has been the most important cornerstone of our city's economic development. Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has always maintained its institutional strengths which are favorable for doing business.

These strengths, coupled with other advantages which are conducive to competitiveness, as well as our positioning as a city leveraging the support from the motherland while engage the world, have made Hong Kong an international center for finance, commerce and trade, a home for corporate headquarters, as well as a major hub of investment, transportation and logistics.

The central government has further improved Hong Kong's electoral system to ensure "patriots administering Hong Kong", enable the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong's long-term security, stability and steady development. These changes will enable Hong Kong to maintain a safe and vibrant business environment in future, continue to capitalize on its competitive advantages and promote steady economic development in the long run.

Together with the master plan of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the latest development plans of Zhuhai Hengqin and Shenzhen Qianhai, Hong Kong's continuous prosperity is certain. We invested a series of technological commercialization projects, related to new material, artificial intelligence and healthcare tech in the Bay Area with major universities in Hong Kong. These new development plans and their associated policies on talents and funding provide us even more opportunities to expand our operation size in the next couple of years ahead.

The 72nd National Day of the PRC is around the corner. With the development of the past 72 years, China has achieved tremendous success, which is encouraging and inspiring for all people all over the world. This year is particularly special as we also celebrate the centennial founding of the Communist Party of China. Under the strong leadership of president Xi Jinping and the CPC, China has attained unprecedented stability and development achievements, and made important contributions to maintaining global peace and development.

To commemorate this, on Oct 1, I am going to lead a youth organization to hold a flag raising ceremony in Wanchai District with ten other organizations of Hong Kong, followed by a number of visits to grassroots and low-income families in several districts across Hong Kong to bring greetings and gifts to the disadvantaged.

The interview was edited by Kathy Zhang.