CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (April 24) led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation to attend the High-Level Meeting cum the First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, witnessing the establishment of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism. He then met with leaders of Hangzhou and Ningbo, and engaged with entrepreneurs of Ningbo descent.
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CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
In the morning, Mr Lee and the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Mr Wang Hao, jointly attended the High-Level Meeting cum the First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference, witnessing the establishment of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism, symbolising a new stage of comprehensive exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang. The Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Ji, also attended the meeting.
Officials of the HKSAR Government that attended the meeting included the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; and the Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Carol Yip.
During the meeting, Mr Wang, Mr Lee, and the Governor of Zhejiang Province, Mr Liu Jie, witnessed the signing of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism and the Co-operation Memorandum of the High-Level Meeting cum First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference, as well as four co-operation agreements signed by representatives of government departments and institutions of the two places, covering areas of innovation and technology (I&T), housing, economic and trade co-operation, and youth development. Hong Kong and Zhejiang established the new Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism and reached consensus on 13 co-operation areas.
Mr Lee noted that the new co-operation conference mechanism symbolises a new stage of comprehensive exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang, which is of great significance. He expressed gratitude to Zhejiang Province and the Zhejiang Provincial Government for its importance and support attached to the new co-operation conference mechanism. He said he looks forward to Hong Kong and Zhejiang continuing to work together and deepen co-operation on all fronts for mutual benefits. He added that Hong Kong and Zhejiang will seize national opportunities and leverage their respective strengths to make new and greater contributions to the further reform and opening up of the country, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Mr Lee said that Hong Kong has long been the largest source of external investment in Zhejiang, as well as a favourable platform for Zhejiang enterprises to expand into overseas markets. Hong Kong will give full play to its role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to continue serving Zhejiang in expanding international markets.
Mr Lee then met with the Mayor of the Hangzhou Municipal People's Government, Mr Yao Gaoyuan, and attended a luncheon hosted by Mr Yao. Mr Lee said that Hangzhou has made rapid achievements in the fields of the digital economy and AI in recent years, while the HKSAR Government is also developing the AI industry proactively and has been implementing a series of measures to support AI development. Mr Lee expressed his confidence in the huge potential for co-operation between Hong Kong and Hangzhou in I&T, adding that under the new co-operation mechanism established between Hong Kong and Zhejiang, exchanges and collaboration between Hong Kong and cities in Zhejiang, including Hangzhou, will be even closer.
In the afternoon, Mr Lee arrived in Ningbo to continue his visit. He first visited a local high-end scientific instrument manufacturing enterprise to learn more about its business development and projects in the manufacturing and research of optical instruments.
Mr Lee then met with entrepreneurs of Ningbo descent. Mr Lee commended Ningbo entrepreneurs for their significant contributions to Hong Kong’s economic and social development over the years, as well as acting as a bridge to promote economic and trade co-operation and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Ningbo.
In the evening, Mr Lee met with the Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee, Mr Peng Jiaxue, and attended a dinner hosted by Mr Peng. Mr Lee highlighted that Ningbo is a major city in the Yangtze River Delta region, while Hong Kong, the world’s freest economy and the third-largest international financial centre which possesses the advantages of the "one country, two systems" principle, is proactively developing into an international I&T hub. He said he believes that entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and Ningbo will continue to scale new heights and forge closer ties and co-operation, and that Hong Kong and Ningbo can achieve complementarity to make greater contributions to the country’s high-quality development.
Mr Lee will continue his visit tomorrow (April 25). He will attend the Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference - Zhejiang (Ningbo) Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum.
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE: Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference Mechanism advances mutual benefits to new levels Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos)
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (May 13) led a business delegation comprising representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises to commence its visit programme to Kuwait, meeting with local leaders and business representatives, and visiting cultural facilities.
In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Amir of Kuwait, Mr Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is the head of state of Kuwait; the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Mr Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; and the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah, to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait. Mr Lee then attended a roundtable meeting chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, engaging in in-depth discussions with senior officials of the Kuwait Government on areas such as finance, trade, and innovation and technology (I&T). Mr Lee and the Acting Prime Minister witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding by Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority respectively. He and the delegation also participated in a luncheon hosted by the Acting Prime Minister.
Mr Lee noted that Kuwait is the first member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) to sign both an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with Hong Kong, establishing a robust framework and foundation for economic and trade co-operation between the two places.
He said that Kuwait has been actively developing a diversified economy in recent years, proposing Kuwait Vision 2035 to promote digital transformation and develop the country into a regional and international financial and trade centre. Hong Kong, as an international financial, shipping and trade centre with world-class professional services, has vast opportunities for co-operation with Kuwait in areas such as finance, investment, digital economy, and I&T, and can assist Kuwait in advancing its Vision 2035. Noting that Kuwait is the rotating President of the GCC currently, Mr Lee expressed his anticipation to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and Kuwait, adding that he looks forward to establishing closer economic, trade and cultural exchanges with more GCC member states.
Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of connecting the country with the world under the "one country, two systems" principle. Hong Kong will fully leverage its role as a bridge to serve enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, complementing the strengths of Mainland enterprises while deepening international exchanges and co-operation. He welcomed the Kuwaiti Government and enterprises to utilise Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to explore new opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative for mutual benefit.
Later, Mr Lee and the delegation met with representatives of a local corporation, Bukhamseen Group Holding Company, to learn about the latest developments in the company's businesses in construction, real estate, financial services, and culture and tourism. Mr Lee introduced Hong Kong's development opportunities and its highly internationalised and market-oriented business environment with its pool of professional services talent. He welcomed the company to use Hong Kong as a springboard to develop diversified businesses and tap into the Mainland market, better grasping the immense opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Mr Lee then visited the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre to learn about Kuwait's arts and culture projects and developments. The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, which opened in 2018, comprises eight buildings, six of which are museums with different themes, housing a total of 22 display halls.
Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges, with the West Kowloon Cultural District as one of the world's largest arts and culture projects. Both Hong Kong and Kuwait place importance on arts and culture development, and he said he looks forward to further deepening connections and co-operation in cultural exchanges between the two places.
The delegation led by Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the State of Kuwait, Mr Zhang Jianwei. Mr Lee expressed gratitude to the Embassy for making meticulous arrangements for this visit and for its continued support to the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Kuwait.
Mr Lee will lead the delegation to continue its visit to Kuwait tomorrow (May 14), meeting with local political and business leaders, and visiting enterprises.
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE leads delegation to begin visit to Kuwait (with photos/ videos) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases