Hong Kong’s sole member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Sunday said the SAR should use its strength and global connections to help Chinese companies expand worldwide. Asked on an RTHK programme about her advice for the next policy address, Starry Lee said she hopes Chief Executive John Lee will put into action decisions taken at the third plenary session of the Communist Party's 20th Central Committee. She pointed out that Hong Kong's role as a bridge to the world was highlighted by Beijing in July. “Many Chinese businesses and their goods need to access global markets, and Hong Kong, as an international city, can facilitate this. We can help Chinese companies with things like certification and testing. Through various linkage mechanisms, Chinese products can be registered in Hong Kong, becoming Hong Kong products, and then exported internationally. This is how we can help China expand its global reach," she said. Lee said many companies from abroad have been skipping Hong Kong and investing directly in the mainland recently, saying this shows the need for the SAR to reflect on its advantages and how to fulfil its role as a “super-connector”. Meanwhile, Lee also voiced concerns that the SAR will fall behind unless the government speeds up its decision-making process. She said many people have told her that Hong Kong's efficiency is relatively weak compared to neighbouring cities. “Take infrastructure as an example. Recently, we've heard that the Kai Tak Monorail project will take 10 years to complete. I'm really worried that by the time it's finished, the monorail will already be outdated. When we finally get to use it, will it still be a relevant mode of transport?” she questioned.
