Pansy Ho: HK can be bridge for GBA and rest of world

With the advantage of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong can act as a bridge linking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to the world, according to billionaire businesswoman Pansy Ho Chiu-king, who is also a national political adviser from the special administrative region.

Ho, who is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and serves as group executive chairwoman and managing director of Shun Tak Holdings, expressed strong confidence in the economic growth of Hong Kong after the COVID-19 epidemic.

"We are looking at already a very good start," she said, elaborating on the signs of economic recovery in Hong Kong since the announcement of the reopening of the border with the mainland.

Starting her five-year term as a CPPCC National Committee member during the ongoing two sessions, Ho said the new identity gives her more perspective to see the country and help contribute to the motherland.

She said she could broadcast important messages back to communities in Hong Kong, so as to help them have a firsthand understanding of the national policies and the future development of the country.

The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will be a focus of her job as a national political adviser, Ho said.

"Some people say I am from Macao, some say I am from Hong Kong, but I will say I am from the Bay Area," she said. "People living in the area like to eat minced pork congee with preserved eggs, and all have a hardworking spirit.

"We can pull the synergies between Hong Kong and the other GBA cities, capitalizing on these strengths and the expertise of Hong Kong, especially in the areas of international relations in terms of being able to attract overseas investors," she said.

Hong Kong is a highly open city in the Bay Area, serving as an international financial, shipping, trade and aviation hub, she said, adding that the city can be a strong intermediary to help other cities in their own development.

As long as Hong Kong seizes the development opportunities of the Bay Area, it can leverage its strengths for national development, Ho said.

Ho is a staunch patriot whose love for the country is part of an inheritance of her family tradition.

Her father Stanley Ho Hung-sun, the legendary businessman and casino tycoon, was highly respected for his contributions to the country.

"We, this family, have always treasured how the country, even though before the return of sovereignty, has been able to supply to both Hong Kong and Macao the very needed and necessary support, especially during the most challenging days," she explained.

"I can still recall listening to my grandparents and then my parents about the love for our country. We talked about how important it is that we have our Chinese history and how important we can have our country as our back," she recalled.

Ho said patriotism is an anchor for the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" and it will help the whole community have a concerted effort, and also, the right direction where people can all steer in.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up in which she has been deeply involved, and Ho believes that the implementation of this policy has been a great success.

"We can see even during COVID-19, the country has grown. We still have registered positive GDP growth," she said.

The economy also grows through innovation and being able to be self-sustainable, she said, adding that China is now ahead of other countries in many areas and fields.

"Indeed, we have demonstrated to the rest of the world, not only could we succeed, but we went beyond anybody's expectation," she said.

Gu Yehua contributed to this story.