Leung made the call on Saturday after the recently concluded third plenum of the Communist Party of China highlighted Beijing’s policy support and goal to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping, and trading centre.
“Hong Kong should develop a stronger sense of reform … The regional competition from the neighbouring cities is intense,” he told a TV programme, now a vice-chairman of the country’s top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
“And just like the 45 years of reform and opening up on the mainland, Hong Kong should be bolder and faster in pushing for reforms.”
Leung pointed out that as Hong Kong’s economic development was faced with numerous challenges, Shenzhen’s experience was worth referencing as the city also grappled with similar transformation issues.