Liu Yandong, a member of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee and a state councillor, paid a two-day visit to Hong Kong recently. She attended the Bo'ao Youth Forum 2009 reception, where she met a group of young community leaders and youth representatives from Hong Kong. She spoke to them on the subject, "The era of opportunities, and jointly promoting the cause of national rejuvenation".

At the reception, she said that "the State Council recently adopted the reform and development program for the Pearl River Delta. The program intends to make the Pearl River Delta an important locus of China's future economic growth. The Chinese 12th five-year plan is being developed. It is estimated that the plan will include a part for Hong Kong and Macao in national modernization. Hong Kong should seize the rare opportunity to catch "the express train" of the motherland's development, and make new contributions.

Madam Liu made a very important point that Hong Kong should participate in the 12th five-year plan of our country. Her remarks were not only words of advice, but also an alarm call.

The preparation work on the 12th five-year plan has been started and most government ministries are involved. The plan will set the national social development and economic framework in the coming five years. So the 12th five-year plan is of great significance. It is anticipated that during the coming five years (2011-15) the CPC's 18th National Congress will be held and the plan implemented.

The 12th five-year plan not only will review the previous five-year plan, the 11th five-year plan, but also develop the right strategy and recommend appropriate measures and policies.

The major issues that need to be addressed involve at least six areas, including: (1) domestic and international environment for development, (2) industry structure change, (3) urban and rural area development, (4) further opening of the economy, (5) livelihood of the populace, (6) resources and environment protection.

All these issues are directly related to guide China in the achievement of a comprehensive prosperous society. It will have an important bearing on future development. In formulating the 12th five-year plan, governing authorities listen carefully to the voice of the people, including the views of the people of Hong Kong. We should organize seminars and forums to collect opinions of the concerned organizations and individuals, so that the HKSAR may make its contribution to the plan.

Since the mainland's opening up in 1979, Hong Kong has regained its traditional role as an entrepot and begun integration with the mainland economy. Especially in the last few years, CEPA has been speeding up the convergence process. Hong Kong should keep up with the pace of the mainland's economic and social development. Hong Kong is affected by the overall economic policies of the mainland. Therefore, Hong Kong should actively participate in formulation of the 12th five-year plan. It is no good to sit on the sideline and do nothing.

The 11th five-year plan set out a program to support development of Hong Kong's financial services, tourism, information services, and to maintain Hong Kong's international financial, trade and shipping standing. We should at least do some "stock taking" of these promises and find out the "results" in order to move forward. In addition, we should see what we can do to support the five-year plan. The Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR government has already initiated projects to make related proposals. The major bureaus and secretaries should also put forward their ideas on how to participate in the plan.

The Hong Kong government should participate as soon as possible in national development planning and work out the mechanism that is needed for the city to contribute in the 12th five-year plan. In this regard, the chief executive definitely has a role to play.

The author is chairman of the Hong Kong Public Governance Association and district councillor of the Central & West District

(HK Edition 12/16/2009 page1)