Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said the SAR will continue its role as a pioneer and will unite patriotic young people to contribute to national development. Speaking at a forum on young entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, Guangdong, Macau and Taiwan, Lee said Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. "Hong Kong is an international financial, shipping, and trade centre. It's the only city in Asia with five universities ranked in the world's top 100," he said. "With its strong scientific research capabilities and advanced technological foundation, Hong Kong attracts talent from both home and abroad to develop their careers, and strives to establish itself as a hub for high-end international talent." The CE also highlighted the government's efforts in promoting youth innovation in the Greater Bay Area, including a funding scheme which helped over 200 young entrepreneurs in the region set up businesses. Meanwhile, a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, CY Leung, told the same event that the nation has provided "bigger stages" for young people on both sides of the strait and in the two SARs. Leung added that he hopes political, business, academic and media figures from Taiwan can visit these stages more often to see for themselves the opportunities.
