Hong Kong leader John Lee strikes 5 cooperation deals with Guangdong after first joint talks in 2 years, vows integration into national development
- Agreements cover innovation and technology, finance, labour, smart cities, and regulation of pharmaceutical and medical devices
- John Lee also says he will lead second meeting of a steering group on national development integration
Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday struck five cooperation deals following the city’s first joint conference with Guangdong in two years, as he pledged to press ahead with integration into mainland China’s development plan.
The five agreements, signed by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Guangdong provincial governor Wang Weizhong, covered innovation and technology, finance, labour, smart cities, and regulation of pharmaceutical and medical devices.
Lee said it was the first Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference since he took office and the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party.
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“Hong Kong and Guangdong have signed five cooperation agreements … following the meeting, delivering fruitful results and marking both sides’ determination and confidence in fostering further cooperation and contributing to the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area,” Lee said in a speech at the province’s spring reception held after the conference in the city.
Among those attending the event were Wang, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying, a vice-chairman of the nation’s top political advisory body, and Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong.
Also there were Yang Wanming, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and Sun Qingye, deputy director of Beijing’s national security office in the city.
Earlier on Tuesday, Lee stressed the importance of collaboration between cities in the bay area to consolidate advantages.
The Greater Bay Area is an ambitious plan by Beijing to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine southern mainland cities into an economic powerhouse that will rival Silicon Valley.
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Lee returned to Hong Kong over the weekend after an unprecedented week-long trip to Beijing ended on Saturday during which he met mainland representatives from 11 ministries, including finance, education, foreign affairs and science and technology, as well as central institutions.
It was also his first time leading a delegation of eight bureau chiefs on an official visit to the capital. The trip was to allow discussions on how the city’s economic development could be better merged with the rest of the country’s.
His visit followed the wrapping up of the annual meetings of the country’s top legislature and political advisory body on Monday last week.
Lee also revealed he would lead the second meeting of the Steering Group on Integration into National Development on Wednesday to discuss how to formulate plans allowing Hong Kong to better integrate into the country’s development.
“[We will focus on] how to create a plan which can benefit all and promote cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland,” he said.
With the reopening of the border, he added, city officials would actively visit different mainland cities and communicate with counterparts on building mutual trust and formulating plans beneficial to both sides.
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Citing his Beijing visit, Lee added he and mainland officials had agreed they had reached a new stage of communication and connection in different areas.
“There are several elements that led to our effective communication. Firstly, we have become more proactive and taken more initiative,” he said.
“Secondly, it is best to conduct face-to-face meetings as it can build mutual trust so we are more likely to reach a consensus.
“Thirdly, we will proactively push for win-win solutions and achieve the greatest outcome in the least amount of time.”
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The Post previously learned that Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu would head to Britain in April, while Algernon Yau Ying-wah, secretary for commerce and economic development, would visit Detroit in the United States in May for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) ministerial meeting.
The trips would mark Hong Kong officials’ first top-level visits to the West in more than three years amid geopolitical tensions.
Lee on Tuesday emphasised it was the government’s policy to remain “fully connected” and “in full cooperation” with all world markets.
“We will be creating extra opportunities for business, for commercial relationships, and also enhancing bonds with different countries,” he said.
