Hong Kong’s top business official in Beijing has urged local business tycoons to take the lead in reinventing the city and replace inertia with reforms, while encouraging them to innovate and organize international events to encourage foreigners to participate in the dynamism of the financial center.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO), also assured that the central government will always “cherish” the city and spare no effort to uphold its unique role and enhance its international competitiveness.

Xia’s full remarks, delivered at a closed-door meeting with 29 business leaders in Shenzhen last Friday, were published by the HKMAO on its website on Sunday evening. Earlier on Friday, Xinhua published a report on the meeting while sources present at the session told the Post that it called on the tycoons to “recognize their responsibilities” and take “concrete actions” to support the development of the city, including possibly raising the stakes on government. land sales.

“Today’s world is not yesterday’s, and Hong Kong cannot rely solely on its traditional advantages by relying on a single trick,” he said. “It must be determined to reform itself and take the initiative to open a new world… in a changing situation. »

Science and technology has become one of the main drivers of economic development, and the city should invest additional resources in innovation and related industries, he urged.

Xia also discussed how Hong Kong could accelerate the improvement of its tourism industry.