Hong Kong deputies to the country’s top legislative body said Premier Li Qiang’s pledges to bolster innovation and technology will create new cooperation opportunities between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland and inject fresh momentum into the city’s economy.

In his government work report delivered on Thursday at the opening of the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing, Li said the central government will develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into an international center for scientific and technological innovation and a world-class innovation engine.

Hendrick Sin, an NPC deputy from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said in an interview with China Daily that he is encouraged to hear Premier Li highlight support for Hong Kong in leveraging its unique advantages — backed by the mainland and connected to the world — as well as the opportunities arising from the Greater Bay Area.

“That provides significant opportunities for Hong Kong’s future development,” said Sin, who is also founding partner and chairman of China Prosperity Capital.

He added that the remarks are particularly heartening for Hong Kong’s technology sector, as the report’s reference to emerging industries and industries of the future, including biomedicine and integrated circuits, will create greater room for collaboration with the mainland.

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Gordon Lam Chi-wing, another Hong Kong deputy to the NPC and chief supply chain officer of Sinopec Hong Kong Ltd, said the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) submitted on Thursday to the NPC for deliberation gives the city a new strategic positioning.

The draft calls for support in building a bulk commodities trading ecosystem and a high value-added supply chain services center in Hong Kong, which Lam said will provide new opportunities for both the city and its supply chain sector.

Lam also welcomed the inclusion of the Northern Metropolis in the draft outline, saying it will accelerate development of the innovation and technology hub and help Hong Kong align with the technological advances outlined in the government work report, providing fresh impetus for the city’s economic growth.

Contact the writer at irisli@chinadailyhk.com