CY Leung due to hold talks with foreign leaders at Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan to push Hong Kong innovation and technology
Special session at the conference this year to focus on development of Hong Kong’s information technology sector and the coming “new economic order”
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said he would hold bilateral talks with foreign governments and industry leaders to promote Hong Kong’s push for innovation and technology during his two-day visit to Hainan for the annual Boao Forum for Asia.
Before departing for Hainan on Wednesday, Leung said there would be a special session at the conference this year on the development of Hong Kong’s information technology sector and the coming “new economic order”.
“We hope to be able to introduce the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong and the opportunities brought about by the new economy.
“I shall also hold bilateral talks with some leaders of foreign countries and the leaders of various mainland provinces and cities,” Leung said.
Leung is expected to deliver a keynote speech at the 75-minute session entitled “Innovation and the New Economy of Hong Kong”, on Thursday. Secretary for Innovation and Technology Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung will also join panel discussions.
Leung also said about 20 university students from Hong Kong were joining the forum as volunteers so they could familiarise themselves with the different leaders.
The four-day Boao forum will close on Friday. Premier Li Keqiang is expected to deliver a speech on Thursday. The theme of this year’s forum is “Asia’s New Future: New Dynamics and New Vision”, focusing mainly on innovation and technology development.
No formal meeting between Li and Leung has been arranged.
The Boao Forum is a regional organisation proposed in 1998 by the Philippines, Australia and Japan. It was formally inaugurated in 2001, with the town of Boao in eastern Hainan chosen as its headquarters. The annual conference has been held there since 2002.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the 21st working meeting of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference, held at government headquarters on Wednesday.
In her opening address, Lam said the Hong Kong government attached much importance to enhancing the role of the city in contributing to the country’s 13th five-year plan. She said she hoped there would be closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong in areas such as innovation and technology, environmental protection and trade liberalisation.
