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Carrie Lam
Hong KongPolitics

Carrie Lam inks deal setting out Hong Kong’s role in Beijing’s global development plan

Agreement will help city utilise its ‘unique edge’, boost competitiveness and explore ‘new room for developments’

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The agreement was signed after a closed-door meeting between Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (left) and National Development and Reform Commission chief He Lifeng. Photo: Dickson Lee
Phila SiuandTony Cheung

Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor took the city’s involvement in Beijing’s “Belt and Road Initiative” to a new level on Thursday, signing an agreement with the mainland that set out the city’s role and strengths within China’s global trade strategy.

The agreement will also help Hong Kong better utilise its “unique edge” and boost its competitiveness, while allowing the city to “explore new room for developments”, according to a statement issued by the National Development and Reform Commission following the signing ceremony.

Lam, the city’s chief executive, signed the agreement after a 15-minute closed-door meeting with commission chief He Lifeng in Beijing on Thursday morning.
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She was on the second day of her three-day maiden duty visit to Beijing, during which she is expected to meet President Xi Jinping and other state leaders to brief them on Hong Kong’s economic, social and political developments.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (with National Development and Reform Commission chief He Lifeng) was on the second day of her three-day visit. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (with National Development and Reform Commission chief He Lifeng) was on the second day of her three-day visit. Photo: Dickson Lee
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The visit comes at a time when Lam’s public approval rating has dropped to 55.7 points out of 100, the lowest since she became the city’s leader in July, according to the University of Hong Kong’s public opinion programme.

“[The agreement] focuses on finance and investment; infrastructure and maritime transport; economic and trade facilitation; people-to-people bonds; pushing forward the Greater Bay Area initiative; strengthening cooperation between the two sides and dispute resolution; among others,” a statement issued by commission after the ceremony said.
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