Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has acknowledged it is no “easy task” to truly implement Hong Kong’s executive-led governance system, stressing that it must be a “shared responsibility” of the legislative and judicial branches and society as a whole.

The state leader also urged the city to “grasp” the opportunities of China’s 15th five-year plan as he highlighted key areas such as quantum technology, aerospace and the low-altitude economy, while calling on local entrepreneurs to proactively participate in the development of the Northern Metropolis, according to attendees at a meeting with him on Friday.

Ding, the head of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, said an executive-led governance system was “important and essential” for the city to align with China’s 15th five-year plan and advance its integration with the mainland.

“It requires the chief executive and the government to strengthen their sense of being the head [of the city], and will need the coordination from all sectors of society.”

Ding, the sixth-ranked Politburo Standing Committee member, added that putting the executive-led system into effect also required support from the legislature and judiciary.