CE leads delegation to participate in the PPRD Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference
6.9.2019

The 2019 Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region today (September 6). The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, led the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation to participate in the Joint Conference. At the Joint Conference held in the morning, Mrs Lam discussed with other government leaders of the PPRD provinces/regions various matters, including making use of the PPRD platform to connect with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area); and jointly developing the New Western Land-Sea Corridor and pursuing close co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative. "Hong Kong can leverage the unique advantages under 'one country, two systems' and make use of its highly open and internationally-aligned economic and legal systems. The Greater Bay Area and the PPRD provinces/regions offer a huge market. We will co-operate with them to explore overseas market opportunities and promote regional economic development," Mrs Lam said. Mrs Lam mentioned that one of the priorities of the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area is to develop an international innovation and technology hub. The HKSAR Government has invested heavily in enhancing the level of Hong Kong's innovation and technology development in order to contribute to the work of developing an international innovation and technology hub in the Greater Bay Area and to provide an environment conducive to innovation and technology development in Hong Kong. On the Belt and Road Initiative, she mentioned that Hong Kong is an international maritime centre and regional logistics hub that possesses an advantageous geographical location, world-class connectivity, efficient customs and international trade connections and experience. Hong Kong and PPRD provinces/regions can leverage their own geographical advantages by strengthening liner shipping services between the ports in the region, and build an efficient logistics network together, thereby contributing to the development of the New Land-Sea Corridor. In addition, Hong Kong's international and high-quality professional sectors are well positioned to provide first-rate services for projects being taken forward under the Belt and Road Initiative. During her stay in Nanning, Mrs Lam had a bilateral meeting with the host of this year's Joint Conference, the Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee, Mr Lu Xinshe, and the Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Mr Chen Wu. Both sides had an in-depth discussion and agreed to enhance co-operation in many areas including transport and logistics, education, medical and health care, testing and certification, tourism and youth development. Major co-operation items are set out at Annex. In addition, Mrs Lam had bilateral meetings with the Governor of Jiangxi Province, Mr Yi Lianhong, and the Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr Yin Li, respectively to discuss co-operation in areas including economic and trade matters, the Belt and Road Initiative, youth development and cultural exchanges. Mrs Lam also visited the Guangxi-Hong Kong (STC) Inspection, Test and Certification Centre to know more about its operation and attended an opening ceremony of the Guangxi-Hong Kong STC Company Limited. Seizing the opportunities brought by CEPA and leveraging the strengths of Hong Kong's testing and certification sector, the Centre provides first-class testing and certification services to assist Guangxi in developing overseas markets. 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. Mrs Lam returned to Hong Kong in the evening. Ends/Friday, September 6, 2019 Issued at HKT 18:49 NNNN