Hong Kong leader to go to Beijing to seek economical aid
03 November, 2020
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will travel to Beijing on Tuesday (Nov 3) to meet with Chinese officials to seek assist in reviving Hong Kong's economy and discuss reopening the borders with mainland China as coronavirus infections in her city dwindle.
Lam said the meetings, set for Wednesday through Friday, includes discussions how Hong Kong can integrate into China's national development, together with how it could cooperate with Shenzhen - a southern Chinese city that borders Hong Kong - as part of the Greater Bay Area integrated monetary scheme.
She also told reporters that she plans to go over when Hong Kong and mainland China can resume the flow of folks across the border without quarantines.
Since March, residents in mainland China and Hong Kong have already been required to quarantine for 14 days when they cross the border as a result of pandemic.
"That is very important to monetary activities, from the provision of professional services, visiting relatives and going to schools," Lam said.
Lam's visit to Beijing comes after she postponed her annual policy address two days before it had been scheduled to occur last month, saying that support from Beijing allows her to provide a speech later that could boost confidence in Hong Kong's monetary future.
Confidence in Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status, promised to the town when Beijing took back control of the former British colony in 1997, has been shaken since mainland authorities imposed a national security law over the territory come early july.
The city's economy in addition has taken a hit as a result of pandemic, with its borders closed to tourists since the end of March.
Based on the US presidential election, Lam said she expects another president to evaluate the value of Hong Kong within China-US relations.
"I hope that the brand new US administration will handle relations with Hong Kong in a comprehensive way, considering the interests of the numerous US businesses in Hong Kong that employ a lot of people, and will not thoughtlessly allow political considerations with an unwarranted influence on Hong Kong," she said.
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