Hong Kong should tap its strengths in global connectivity to drive the nation’s post-Covid economic recovery and be more outspoken to clarify misunderstandings about the country amid escalating geopolitical tensions, local delegates have said as they summed up key takeaways from annual political gatherings in the capital.

The local members of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who have started their new five-year terms, were also expected to play a bigger role in tackling pressing livelihood issues at home as Beijing was set to streamline its governance of Hong Kong.

The change, which would involve elevating Beijing’s top office overseeing Hong Kong affairs from a ministerial-level body to one answering directly to the Communist Party’s Central Committee, was expected to be announced after the meeting concludes on Monday.