Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrives at the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong to deliver his 2023 Policy Address, Oct 25, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will lead a government delegation on Saturday to visit Shanghai and attend the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which will feature a Hong Kong-themed seminar for the first time.

Lee will attend the opening ceremony of the CIIE on Sunday. 

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To promote to mainland and overseas enterprises Hong Kong's role as an important channel between the country and the world, he will deliver a speech at the first Hong Kong-themed seminar hosted in CIIE titled Channelling Global Business through Hong Kong.

He will also deliver as speech at the Invest in China Year Summit under the Hongqiao International Economic Forum.

The CIIE is a significant move by the country to actively open the mainland market to the world, and provide vast business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises to tap into the domestic market. 

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of HKSAR

Lee plans to visit Hong Kong enterprises’ booths at the Hong Kong exhibition area at the CIIE to show support. Over 300 Hong Kong enterprises will participate in this year’s CIIE, setting a new record.

The HKSAR government delegation include Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po; Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah; Secretary for Education Dr Choi Yuk-lin; Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip Man-kuen; and Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Clement Woo.

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The delegation will introduce to participants the unique strengths of Hong Kong on various fronts under 'one country, two systems'.

“The CIIE is a significant move by the country to actively open the mainland market to the world, and provide vast business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises to tap into the domestic market,” Lee said, pointing out that the expo is receiving an overwhelming response from Hong Kong's business community.

Hong Kong proactively participates in and supports the CIIE, he added.    

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During his visit to Shanghai, the Hong Kong leader will also meet with leaders of the Shanghai municipal government.

He will also exchange views with Hong Kong people living, working and studying in Shanghai.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan will deliver a speech at a seminar on Revitalizing Real Economy with Financial Resources under the Hongqiao International Economic Forum to promote Hong Kong's status as an international financial center.

The 6th CIIE is expected to welcome guests from 154 countries, regions and international organizations. More than 3,400 exhibitors and 394,000 professional visitors have registered for the event, which has fully recovered to the pre-epidemic level. 

More than 100 executives from the global headquarters of the world's top 500 companies and industry leaders have confirmed their visit to China to participate in the fair, a record scale.

The CE will return to Hong Kong on Monday.