HONG KONG, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said here Thursday the government will help young people tap opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Photo: VCG

ENSURING TANGIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG YOUNG PEOPLE

"In the Greater Bay Area development process, enormous opportunities will be brought about to Hong Kong young people," Lam said while delivering a speech at the international conference on the Greater Bay Area.

Lam promised utmost efforts of the HKSAR government to ensure the opportunities will be tangible for young people.

A fund has been set up to assist young people in starting up their businesses in various Greater Bay Area cities with grants, support, counselling, guidance and incubation services.

Hong Kong and Guangdong launched a batch of 10 entrepreneurial bases to further promote youth innovation and entrepreneurship in the Greater Bay Area in May.

Lam said more measures are in the pipeline, citing a planned Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovative and Entrepreneurial Bases.

"Organizations from Guangdong and Hong Kong with strength and proven track records, such as innovative and entrepreneurial bases, universities, non-governmental organizations, scientific research institutes, professional bodies and venture funds, will be invited to join the alliance and jointly set up a one-stop information, publicity and exchange platform," Lam said.

Given various external and domestic headwinds in Hong Kong, Lam stressed the Greater Bay Area provides new impetus to the economy and creates development opportunities for the people.

Hong Kong should take a more proactive role in the Greater Bay Area with its strength in financial and professional services, aviation, and innovation and technology, Lam said.

"ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" HIGHLIGHTED

Lam noted that the opportunity could only become reality under the premise of the "one country, two systems."

Under the principle of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong will continue to maintain its own economic and legal system, internationalized business environment, and a high degree of autonomy, thus performing its gateway function for the Greater Bay Area and further opening up of the country, Lam said.

"While our foremost priority is to end violence and restore law and order, we have not lost sight of the opportunities that Hong Kong should seize in order to bring our city to new heights," Lam said.

Lam said Hong Kong is holding steadfast to the principles that have given Hong Kong the unique advantages, which are "one country, two systems," the rule of law and the institutional strengths.