Former Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying has said he envies the city’s younger generation for the opportunities they have in the Greater Bay Area and would be happy to swap his life with theirs.

The vice-chairman of China’s top political advisory body said in a talk show broadcast on Friday night that Hong Kong was a very useful base for foreign companies to venture into the Greater Bay Area market, which had a strong purchasing power.

The Greater Bay Area project refers to the central government’s plan to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine neighbouring Guangdong province cities into a finance and technology powerhouse.

“I very much envy the new generation. I often say to them I could swap my life with the life of any of our youngsters in Hong Kong,” Leung said on the programme Friday Beyond Spotlights on the Hong Kong International Business Channel.

“There is so much that could be done not just for their own career development, but also for forging international collaboration between China and other parts of the world.”

Young people at a breakdancing performance in West Kowloon Cultural District in July 2021.

Leung said the younger generation had the advantage of youth, energy and living in a vibrant city such as Hong Kong.

He suggested foreign companies based in Hong Kong take advantage of the market and the opportunities offered in the bay area cities, given the high average income level there.

He also said the “one country, two systems” principle under which Hong Kong was governed allowed the city to act as a “super connector” between mainland China and the rest of the world to enhance financial services and facilitate cultural exchanges.

“We are a very good super connector not only in terms of trade, investment and financial services, but also definitely in terms of promoting cultural interchanges,” he said.

Leung also said Hong Kong’s place as a wine trading hub was becoming more prominent, and that it also had opportunities in the maritime industry as part of the Great Bay Area to develop insurance, legal and maintenance services for vessels.

The former chief executive also shared stories of his three years of studying in Britain in the 1970s as a struggling student, and encouraged young people to venture abroad.

Leung said he had worked part-time as a helper in a Chinese takeaway-cum-fish and chip shop in Bristol, earning £10.50 a week.

He said young people studying overseas could broaden their horizons by visiting new places and getting to know the people and culture there.

“You have a very good education, you have a good degree in Hong Kong. But going away to live in a faraway place by yourself for a few years in a totally foreign environment is very, very enlightening,” he said.

Tipped as one of the possible contenders in the coming chief executive election in March, Leung was not asked in the interview about the prospect of his running.