CE leads HKSAR Government and LegCo delegation to conduct four-day GBA visit
20.4.2023

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, tomorrow (April 21) will lead a delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Legislative Council (LegCo) to conduct a four-day visit to four cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), namely Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan and Guangzhou. Mr Lee will be the leader of the delegation, while the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the President of the LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, will be the deputy leaders of the delegation. During the visit, leaders of Guangdong Province and relevant cities will meet with the delegation. The itinerary of the delegation includes visiting various facilities, enterprises and projects in areas including innovation and technology, environmental protection, youth development, arts and culture, and sports, for the participants to learn more about the latest developments and opportunities in Mainland cities of the GBA. "President Xi Jinping, during his recent inspection tour to Guangdong, said that the GBA holds strategic importance in the country's new development pattern. The HKSAR proactively supports the important strategy by continuously strengthening its communication with other GBA cities, so as to promote high-level co-operation and high-quality development in the GBA and dovetail with national strategies," said Mr Lee. "This visit marks the first joint visit to the Mainland by the current term of the HKSAR Government and the LegCo since the improvement of the electoral system and the implementation of the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong'. It is also the first large-scale visit by the HKSAR to Mainland cities of the GBA after the full resumption of normal travel between the Mainland and Hong Kong. I will lead officials of the HKSAR Government and LegCo Members to participate in the visit, with a view to jointly gaining a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the latest developments in Mainland cities of the GBA, so that Hong Kong could more actively participate in, promote, and benefit from the development of the GBA. The four-day visit will also promote interaction and mutual understanding between government officials and LegCo Members, and strengthen co-operation while performing their respective functions, bringing the implementation of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' to new heights. Together, we will spare no efforts in advancing Hong Kong's economic development and competitiveness, and press ahead with more measures that benefit Hong Kong and its people." Mr Lee and the delegation will arrive in Shenzhen tomorrow. On the following three days, the participating LegCo Members will be divided into two groups to visit GBA cities. The two deputy leaders will each lead a group of members to Dongguan or Foshan, during which Mr Lee will participate in part of the visit of both groups in turns. The delegation will then visit Guangzhou together. The HKSAR Government officials who will also join the visit include the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip. Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on April 24. During his absence, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will be the Acting Chief Executive. During the absence of Mr Chan, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration. During the absence of Mr Tsang, the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo, will be the Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs. During the absence of Mr Tse, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, will be the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology. During the absence of Mr Yau, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, will be the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. During the absence of Professor Sun, the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, will be the Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry. Ends/Thursday, April 20, 2023 Issued at HKT 17:30 NNNN