CE leads delegation to participate in 2021 PPRD Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference
24.9.2021

The 2021 Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference was held in Chengdu, Sichuan, today (September 24). The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, led the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation to participate in the Joint Conference. At the meeting, Mrs Lam discussed various matters with other government leaders of the PPRD provinces/regions, including enhancing the connection of various key national strategies in the region, fostering domestic and international dual circulation, and jointly participating in the high-quality development of the New Land and Marine Routes for Western Regions. "Since the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law for the HKSAR in June last year, Hong Kong has achieved a positive transformation from chaos to governance, and gradually towards development and prosperity. The National People's Congress passed the Decision on improving the HKSAR's electoral system in March this year to implement the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong', successfully resolving problems from the root and ensuring that Hong Kong can stay true to the original aspiration of the 'one country, two systems' principle. The refinement of the legal system and enforcement mechanisms has boosted Hong Kong's confidence in capitalising on our strengths and proactively integrating into the overall development of our country under the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan, as well as participating in the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and deepening economic, trade, innovation and technology co-operation with the Mainland. The PPRD platform, which has been established for many years, is our focus of enhancing co-operation," Mrs Lam said. On economic and trade co-operation, Mrs Lam said that the HKSAR Government had strengthened support to Hong Kong businesses and encouraged them to capitalise on the huge markets in the PPRD region. Hong Kong would also give full play to its strengths on international experiences, modern services and professional talents, and serve as a bridge for PPRD enterprises' participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and expansion of overseas markets. On civil aviation and maritime transport, she said that the HKSAR Government would continue to facilitate co-operation between the Hong Kong and Zhuhai airports. The provision of consultancy and training services to airports and aviation industries in the PPRD region by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy respectively would help build the capability of aviation talents and increase the overall competitiveness of airports in the region. She also encouraged companies in the PPRD region to make good use of Hong Kong's high‑end maritime services to expand the scope for further development. The HKSAR Government and the trade would also enhance communication with PPRD provinces/regions. Through the important platforms of Hong Kong Maritime Week and the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference and more, both sides would grasp the opportunities arising from the New Land and Marine Routes for Western Regions. On cultural exchange, Mrs Lam said that each of the nine PPRD Mainland provinces/regions, together with the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SARs), demonstrates its own cultural uniqueness. Members of the PPRD could mutually enhance cultural exchanges and promote inheritance of Chinese culture. Since 2019, the HKSAR Government had organised Hong Kong Week in the Mainland to introduce Hong Kong's arts and cultural organisations and world-class creative talents to Mainland audiences. She expressed the hope that Hong Kong Week could be organised in various PPRD provinces/regions in future. She also invited cultural organisations from the PPRD to organise comprehensive cultural performances, exhibitions, food promotion and other activities in Hong Kong to deepen people-to-people bonds and cultural exchanges. The PPRD is an important regional co-operation platform that covers nine provinces/regions (namely Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan) and the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, accounting for more than one-third of the country's population and gross domestic product. Ends/Friday, September 24, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:20 NNNN