MOFCOM spokesperson He Yadong Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

When asked how Hong Kong should navigate potential competition, seize cooperative opportunities and sustain its role as a "super-connector" amid the Hainan Free Trade Port's (FTP) new phase of high-level opening-up through island-wide special customs operations, He Yadong, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), emphasized on Thursday that Hong Kong is an international hub for finance, shipping and trade, with the unique strength of being supported by the motherland while maintaining global connectivity.

The country is unwavering in its commitment to advancing high-level opening-up, and the Hainan FTP is a landmark initiative to promote the development of an open economy under the new system, according to He.

For Hong Kong, the "One Country, Two Systems" principle is its greatest strength, and the China's reform and opening-up is its greatest stage. The more open the motherland is, the broader the space for Hong Kong's development, He said.

MOFCOM will support Hong Kong in integrating into and serving the national development landscape, achieving complementary advantages and collaborative development with Hainan FTP and jointly playing a better role in the country's high-level opening-up, He added.

Global Times