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本港就業市場情況進一步改善。上周公布最新七至九月的失業率為4.5%，較上一期的4.7%低0.2個百分點，回落到一年半低位。今年來失業率已回落近3個百分點。不過，近月失業率回落速度放緩，某程度反映改善動力稍為減弱。而15至24歲的組群，雖然已從去年20.3%的水平回落，但目前仍高企在15%的水平，遠遠高於整體的平均數。上星期我到香港都會大學出席講座後，與學生們交流時，也感受到他們對香港前景、就業出路等切身問題的關注。

I attended the 130th session of the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) in Guangzhou last week. The Canton Fair is a comprehensive international trading event with the longest history, the largest scale, the most complete exhibit variety organised by our Country. That is why it is also regarded as a “barometer” on China’s external trade. The latest session is the first physical fair organised since the outbreak of the pandemic early last year, which is also the biggest fair held in physical form under the pandemic around the world. This not only reflects our Country’s capability and confidence in controlling the pandemic, but also our Country’s steady economic growth, which plays an important role in supporting global trade and economic activities.

In our history of developing from a fishing village to a trading port and then a financial centre, Hong Kong’s major economic activities have been centering at the two sides of the Victoria Harbour, i.e. the districts at the north of Hong Kong Island and the south of Kowloon. Although this development pattern has its historic background, it should not be assumed as a must. Moreover, this pattern has not taken into account the division of labour and co-development between Hong Kong and our nearby cities. With our economic development bonded with the Country, and the deepening of our connections and cooperation with nearby Mainland cities, as well as the Central Government’s support and hope on us as reflected in the positioning of Hong Kong under the 14th Five-year Plan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development, how should Hong Kong formulate its spatial development strategy and land use planning for the benefit of our long-term economic and social development?