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EVENT

Dialogue with Leader

2018 China Urban Competitiveness Report (Hong Kong) Press Conference

2018.06.29

The press conference of 2018 China Urban Competitiveness Report (Hong Kong) was held in Hong Kong on 29 June 2018. It was organized by the Better Hong Kong Foundation and co-organized by Center for City and Competitiveness of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Led by Prof. Ni Pengfei of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the theme of the 2018 Report is “40 Years: Formation of Cities Across the Country” , revealing the contributions of cities in China’s opening-up and reforms. It also revealed the mechanism of successful development of Chinese cities in the past four decades. The press conference was chaired by the Foundation’s Executive Director Ms. Karen Tan. Prof. Ni gave a presentation on the report and explained the overall competitiveness of Hong Kong. Prof. Shen Jianfa from the Chinese University of Hong Kong commented on the findings about Hong Kong.


The Foundation’s Executive Director Ms. Karen Tang, Prof. Ni Pengfei (left) and Prof. Shen Jianfa presented the report to Hong Kong media

According to the Comprehensive Economic Competitiveness Index in 2017, the top ten cities are Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Guangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, Suzhou, Nanjing and Wuhan. They are all located in Pearl River Delta (PRD), Yangtze River Delta (YRD), Bohai Rim; and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan area, except Wuhan, which is in central China. This reflects the advantages of coastal area in development. Hong Kong tops the Livability Competitiveness Index. Hong Kong ranks high in quality education environment, good medical environment, green and ecological environment, and active economic environment. These contribute to the top ranking of the city. Hong Kong leads in Sustainable Competitiveness Index. Hong Kong’s economy maintains a good momentum of development in recent years. However, from a structural point of view, Hong Kong still faces major challenges in terms of technology innovation, industrial diversification and upgrading. In terms of spatial development, Hong Kong should embrace the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and undertake the roles of strategic node and core hub in the BRI. At the same time, Hong Kong should actively participate in the formation and development of the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong should make good use of its advantages and grasp opportunities arising from science & innovation, the BRI and the GBA, in order to achieve sustainable development and strengthen its urban competitiveness.
Before the press conference, the Foundation’s Council Member Dr. Roy Chung chaired a luncheon discussion where members of the Foundation and guests exchanged and shared their views on the report. Invited guests including Mr. Andrew Au, Government Economist, Prof. Anthony Yeh, Chair Professor of Department of Urban Planning and Design of the University of Hong Kong, Dr. Joe Fang, Chief Research Officer of the One Country Two Systems Research Institute; and Dr. Tse Kwok-leung, Head of Policy & Economic Research of the Bank of China also shared their views at the luncheon discussion.


The Foundation’s members and invited guests exchanged views at the discussion luncheon