Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged to sharpen the city’s competitive edge to better serve the country’s development by applying the guiding principles of the fourth plenum in everyday governance.

Speaking after attending a seminar at government headquarters that featured the president of the country’s top scientific think tank on Monday, Lee also said the public should “thoroughly study and understand” the spirit of last month’s plenum to help promote the advancement of the nation’s modernisation.

The city’s chief executive summed up his three main takeaways from the seminar that was also attended by top members of his administration, other government officials, lawmakers and representatives of the judiciary.

“First, we must deeply understand and comprehend the spirit of the fourth plenary session, grasp the future development direction of the country and the opportunities for Hong Kong,” he said in a Facebook post.

“Second, we must uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, adapt to local conditions and the times to advance all aspects of our work, especially to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s unique competitive advantages, and better integrate into and serve the overall development of the country.

“Third, we must integrate this spirit of the fourth plenary session into our daily affairs.”

Hou Jianguo, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhu Weidong, deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, delivered the main speeches, which Lee said gave a concise explanation of the spirit of the plenary session and the importance of the latest five-year plan.