Chief Executive Attends Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium, Emphasizing Future Collaboration and Development

CE continues visit to Beijing

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, continued his visit to Beijing this morning (November 4) and attended the opening ceremony of the 29th Beijing Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium, themed "Beijing-Hong Kong: Together into the 15th Five Year Plan".

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Lee said that the Symposium has achieved fruitful results over nearly three decades, during which co-operation between Beijing and Hong Kong has gradually expanded from trade, commerce and infrastructure to high-end areas including financial services, innovation and technology, green and low-carbon development, intellectual property and professional services. By bringing in Hong Kong's international resources to serve Beijing's high-quality development and opening up channels for Beijing's innovative industries to go global, the Symposium has promoted two-way investment and joint development, and played an important role in deepening Beijing-Hong Kong collaboration.

Mr Lee said that Beijing and Hong Kong can further deepen collaboration in three main directions in the future. These include advancing two-way financial opening up, where Hong Kong, as the most convenient international financing platform for Beijing enterprises, could join hands with Beijing to expand green finance and offshore Renminbi business; deepening collaboration in innovation and technology between the two places, accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis and building an internationalised university town to promote the integrated development of education, technology and talent, opening a new chapter for Beijing and Hong Kong institutions to jointly nurture high-calibre talent and foster new quality productive forces; and giving full play to Hong Kong's roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" to fully empower enterprises in going global and help bring the country's culture and soft power to the world. He said that Hong Kong will continue to proactively serve the country's needs and work with Beijing to transform the achievements of co-operation between the two places into a new impetus of high-quality development, making greater contributions to the country's high-standard opening up.

Mr Lee later departed for Shanghai. He will attend the welcome dinner of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the evening, and exchange views with various participants from all over the world.

Mr Lee will attend the opening ceremony of the ninth CIIE and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum tomorrow (November 5). He will also visit the Hong Kong exhibition area and the exhibition booths of Hong Kong enterprises, and deliver a speech at the Hong Kong sub-forum of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the 29th Beijing Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium today (November 4). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the 29th Beijing Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium today (November 4). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs holds passing-out parade

Hong Kong Customs held the Passing-out Parade for the 147th Inspector Induction Courses and the 511th-512th Customs Officer Induction Courses at the Hong Kong Customs College today (November 4). Mr Richard Tang officiated at the passing-out parade to inspect nine Probationary Customs Inspectors and 35 Probationary Customs Officers on parade.

Speaking at the passing-out parade, Reviewing Officer Mr Tang said that under Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong closely adheres to the principle of "leveraging Hong Kong's strengths to serve the country's needs". Building on the bridging role between the Mainland and the world, Hong Kong endeavours to advance the development of the "four centres and one hub" and deepen its integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). As the core department for external connection and the guardian of the country's gateway, Hong Kong Customs is a vital force of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in carrying out Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and aligning with national strategies.

He added that the development of control points under the National 15th Five-Year Plan has given Hong Kong Customs a new mission. With the smart upgrade of the Huanggang Port, the implementation of "hard and soft connectivity", the optimisation of customs clearance mechanisms in GBA boundary control points, as well as the advancement of AI, big data and smart equipment, Hong Kong Customs plays an indispensable role in implementing Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan.

Mr Tang encouraged the passing-out officers to uphold loyalty and enforce the law for the people, to keep pace with the times and embrace innovation, and to pass on the torch and remain devoted to the city and country at this critical juncture marked by a new plan and new mission. Noting that national strategies and the opportunities brought by the GBA have opened up a broad arena for Hong Kong, he expressed hope that the passing-out officers would contribute to Hong Kong's high-quality development and long-term stability.

Hong Kong Customs holds passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs holds passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs holds passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs holds passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases