A high-profile Hong Kong delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attended a conference in Guangzhou on Monday afternoon to promote economic ties between the city and Guangdong province.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong Deepening Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference, co-organized by Guangdong and Hong Kong authorities, is a highlight of the delegation’s three-day visit to Guangdong that kicked off on Monday morning.
The delegation, which will tour Foshan, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Huizhou and Shenzhen, includes around 50 business executives, leaders of business chambers and senior government officials.
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After the conference in Guangzhou, Lee will head to Foshan for meetings with local officials and return to Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki will lead the delegation after Lee leaves to visit the five cities to learn their successful experiences in economic development and industrial planning.
In a release on Friday, Lee emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a task in line with the guiding principles from the recent third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
He stressed the necessity for harmonized regulations and mechanisms to fully realize the region’s high-quality development potential.
Since taking office in 2022, Lee has made numerous overseas visits with Hong Kong business leaders as part of a broader effort to promote trade ties and boost the economy.
Earlier this month, Lee witnessed the signing of free trade agreement between Hong Kong and Peru on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, capital of Peru.
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In July, he visited Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam — countries with a combined population of more than 120 million — accompanied by over 30 representatives from the industry, finance, transportation, logistics, innovation and technology, and tourism sectors.
This trip resulted in the signing of 55 agreements and memoranda of understanding.
Lee also paid a visit to Guangdong in April, 2023, during which he led a team of lawmakers and senior officials to Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan and Guangzhou to inspect facilities, enterprises, and projects across various sectors such as innovation, environmental protection, youth development and culture.
Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com
