中国共产党二十届三中全会通过的《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》明确香港发展的战略定位，即发挥“一国两制”制度优势，巩固提升国际金融、航运、贸易中心地位，打造国际高端人才集聚高地。这为特区高质量发展指明了航向，也为香港由治及兴注入了强劲政治动力。
香港在高质量发展新起点上拥有三个有利条件
一是拥有安全保障。随着特区完善选举制度、重塑区议会制度和香港国安法律制定实施，香港构筑起“一国两制”下维护安全稳定、促进良政善治的制度体系，迎来全力拼经济、谋发展的最好时期，提供了更安全、更自由、更开放、更稳定、更可预期的营商和发展环境，吸引全球更多企业、资金、人才来港。
二是拥有独特优势支撑。“一国两制”是香港的最大优势。香港尽享“两制”之便，国际联系畅通便捷，是全球最自由经济体之一和中国唯一实行普通法的地区，以高度法治化、低税收、安全宜居等特色广受全球精英人士青睐。香港国际金融、航运、贸易中心地位稳固，在最新一期全球金融中心排名榜上重返世界第三，香港国际机场货运量多年位居全球之首，世界银行最新《营商环境成熟度报告》高度认可香港国际贸易能力，将香港列为表现最好的十个经济体之一。香港保持这些核心竞争力，夯实了高质量发展的基础。
三是拥有中央对“一国两制”方针的坚定承诺。香港有求、国家必应。中央不断出台挺港惠港新措施，“个人游”计划不断扩大，向非中国籍香港永久性居民签发来往内地通行证，《CEPA服务贸易协议》再次修订。这一系列“大礼包”进一步深化内地与香港金融、经贸交流合作，大幅提振香港经济动能。粤港澳大湾区为香港提供了10倍于香港人口且正在快速富裕的市场，将给香港百业发展带来无限机遇。
香港高质量发展关键是进一步实现三个“I”
有了有利条件，接下来就要加快实干，关键要实现三个“I”，即持续国际化（Internationalization）、融入国家发展大局（Integration）、创新发展新质生产力（Innovation）。
国际化是香港最主要特色之一。作为最自由、最开放、最国际化的大都市，香港需继续改善营商环境、提升宜居水平、加强多元文化交融，进一步增强对全球人才的吸引力。年底即将启用的香港机场三跑道系统为香港密切与世界的联系提供了新助力。
香港是国家构建双循环新发展格局的枢纽门户之一，融入国家发展大局既是责任，更是机遇。内地广阔腹地超大规模市场的支撑是香港发展的根本保障。香港融入国家发展大局，当务之急就是进一步全面深入融入粤港澳大湾区建设，借助大湾区产业链供应链和人才、科技、企业等资源优化自身经济结构，打造经济新增长点。同时，也要拓展与内地其他省份的高水平合作。不久前我率外国驻港领团和商界参访团赴山东访问，充分感受到山东打造高水平对外开放新高地的需求为香港发挥“超级联系人”“超级增值人”作用提供了更大用武之地。
通过科技创新发展新质生产力，是香港经济实现升级转型、提升国际竞争力的必由之路。香港要充分发挥优势，吸引更多全球顶尖人才来港发展，积极培养拔尖创新人才，完善创新生态体系，加快推进国际创科中心建设，树立全球竞争新优势。
外交公署将发挥所长助力香港高质量发展
我们将继续坚决反制外部势力抹黑和打压香港发展，坚定维护国家主权、安全和发展利益。将加强同在港外国商界对话交流，为其排忧解难，坚定其在港发展信心。将协助特区各界讲好香港故事，密切对外交流合作。将支持香港更深入参与高质量共建“一带一路”，发挥好平台作用，放大专业服务优势，拓展新兴市场。
新时代香港高质量发展势不可挡、前景广阔。我们坚信，“一国两制”香港实践必将更加成功，“东方之珠”光彩必将更加璀璨夺目。
The resolution adopted at the Communist Party’s third plenary session outlines a strategic framework for Hong Kong’s development. It emphasises leveraging the “one country, two systems” principle to enhance Hong Kong’s status as a centre of international finance, shipping and trade. It also encourages the city to become a global hub for high-calibre talent. The resolution charts a new course for Hong Kong’s high-quality development, injecting significant momentum into the city’s governance and prosperity.
Hong Kong already has three advantages in this regard.
The first is security. By improving the electoral system, restructuring the district council system and implementing the national security law and Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong has established a comprehensive institutional framework that ensures security, stability and effective governance. Hong Kong now has a safer, freer and more open society, as well as a predictable business climate, ushering in a great period for reviving the economy and seeking development. Under such conditions, the city will attract more global enterprises, capital and talent.
Second, Hong Kong enjoys unique strengths due to its greatest asset – one country, two systems. The benefits of “two systems” enable Hong Kong’s international linkages. As one of the world’s freest economies and the only region in China that practises the common law, Hong Kong is highly favoured by the global elite for its strong rule of law, low tax rates and safe, liveable environment. Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre also remains solid. Recently, the city regained its position as the third-ranked global financial centre in the latest Global Financial Centres Index. Hong Kong International Airport has ranked first in cargo volume worldwide for many years. Moreover, the World Bank’s Business Ready 2024 Report placed Hong Kong among the top 10 performing economies globally, as measured by operational efficiency. Hong Kong’s competitive edge provides a strong foundation for high-quality development.
Third, the central government remains firmly committed to one country, two systems. When Hong Kong requests help, the motherland responds. The central government has consistently introduced measures to sustain Hong Kong’s growth, including the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme, the issuance of mainland travel permits for Hong Kong permanent residents with foreign passports, and the amended Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. These not only deepen financial and trade cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong, but also boost economic momentum. The Greater Bay Area development zone, which links Hong Kong with Macau and major cities in Guangdong province, is a wealthy market. It covers an area with a population at least 10 times larger than Hong Kong’s, providing limitless opportunities for the city’s industrial sectors.
With such favourable conditions, the next step is to take advantage of them.
The key to Hong Kong’s high-quality development depends on advancing three objectives: internationalisation, integration and innovation.
Internationalisation is one of Hong Kong’s key features. As the freest and most open global metropolis, Hong Kong must keep improving its business environment and livability, while strengthening multicultural interactions, to increase its appeal to global talent. The coming launch of the three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport will tighten the city’s global connections.
Integrating national development into public policy is both a responsibility and an opportunity for Hong Kong as it serves as a gateway for China’s dual circulation economic strategy. The mainland’s vast market potential provides essential support for Hong Kong’s development. To effectively align with national development, Hong Kong needs to, first and foremost, deepen its involvement in the Greater Bay Area. By leveraging supply chains, talent, technology and enterprises in the bay area plan, Hong Kong can optimise its economic structure and create new opportunities for growth. It is also essential for Hong Kong to expand high-level cooperation with other parts of the mainland. I led a delegation of representatives from the foreign consular and business communities in Hong Kong to Shandong province. I saw that Shandong has a strong desire to become a frontier for high-quality reform and opening up. Hong Kong can play a role in that regard as a superconnector and super value-adder.
Innovation from developing new productive forces will help enhance Hong Kong’s international competitiveness. The city must leverage its strengths to attract top talent, cultivate creative professionals, improve its innovation ecosystem and build itself into an international tech hub to establish new competitive advantages on the global stage.
The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry is responsible for helping Hong Kong build high-quality growth.
We will resolutely guard against external forces that seek to undermine and suppress Hong Kong’s development while safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. We will enhance dialogue and communication with the foreign business community in Hong Kong, addressing their concerns and bolstering their confidence in the city. Additionally, we will promote exchanges by helping tell Hong Kong stories to the world and strengthening cooperation with other countries. Furthermore, we will support Hong Kong’s increased involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative by using its advantages in professional services and expanding its overseas markets.
The prospects are bright for Hong Kong’s high-quality development. The practice of one country, two systems in Hong Kong will become more successful, and the “Pearl of the Orient” will shine more brilliantly than ever before.
