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EVENT

Dialogue with Leader

2019 China Urban Competitiveness Report

2019.06.25

The Center for City and Competitiveness of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (“the Center”) announced the 2019 China Urban Competitiveness Report on 24 June 2019 in Beijing. Led by Prof. Ni Pengfei of the Center, the theme of the 2019 report is “Housing: The impacts on economy and society”. This year’s report elaborates the effect of housing development on fostering the economic growth and structural changes, preventing economic risks, and benefiting people’s livelihood in China. The report also estimates the general direction of housing development and provides relevant recommendations. On 25 June 2019, the Foundation hosted a discussion luncheon where Prof. Ni was invited to give a presentation on the report and explained the overall competitiveness of Hong Kong. Supported by Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. Shen Jianfa also attended the luncheon and commented on the findings about Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is ranked second in the Comprehensive Economic Competitiveness Index. Although the ranking of overall incremental competitiveness sub-index continues to drop, the city’s hardware and software support the good performance in the overall efficiency competitiveness sub-index. Hong Kong leads in Sustainable Competitiveness Index. Hong Kong is strong in the cultural, ecological and info-city sub-indices and tops the Livability Competitiveness Index. The high quality education environment and ecological environment, and active economic environment are major contributing factors. Hong Kong also tops the Business-friendly Competitiveness Index. Favourable local factors, soft environment and international connections, such as low tax base, high economic freedom and transparent legal system are making Hong Kong’s business-friendly environment, but Hong Kong’s hard environment is an offset.

The report makes suggestions on the future development of Hong Kong in two aspects. First, Hong Kong must continue to establish the core function of “innovation + technology”. This is a way to strengthen the industries with traditional advantages, and can foster the development of AI, biomedical, advanced manufacturing and cultural & creative industries. Second, Hong Kong needs to strive to be the dragonhead of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By deepening economic integration with Mainland, particularly the GBA, Hong Kong can be a principal participant, promotor and beneficiary in the GBA development.

The Foundation’s Trustees Dr. Sumet Jiaravanon’s representative Ms. Li Xuhua and Dr. Adrian Cheng’s representative Dr. Wendy Hong; Council Members Dr. Roy Chung, Mr. Joseph Yu, Ms. Diana Chou, Mr. Sebastian Man, Mr. Chan Yim-kwong and Ms. Clara Chan; Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang; and invited guests Mr. Adolph Leung, Mr. Kwok Kwok-chuen, Mr. Liu Hongyu, Mr. Jimmy Kwok, Mr. Tse Kwok-leung, Mr. Chang Ka-mun, Ms Cathy Tang and Mr. Gordon Kee attended the luncheon discussion.


Prof. Ni Pengfei (front row, 2nd right) gave a presentation on the report and explained the overall competitiveness of Hong Kong with the Foundation’s members and guests