CS continues visit in Beijing (27.4.2023)
27.4.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, continued his visit in Beijing today (April 27). In the morning, Mr Chan visited the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and met with Vice-Minister cum Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, Mr Li Qun. They exchanged views on policy initiatives to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's positioning as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the Ministry for supporting the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to foster cultural and tourism exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, including the successful opening of the Hong Kong Palace Museum last year and the funding support from the China National Arts Fund for various Hong Kong arts projects. With the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland and the rest of the world, the HKSAR Government will steadfastly develop Hong Kong into an international tourism hub and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism, and tell the international world good stories of China and Hong Kong. Mr Chan then visited the People's Government of Beijing Municipality. He met with Vice Mayor Mr Liu Yuhui and exchanged views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Beijing. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong and Beijing had maintained close liaison and continuously enhanced the breadth and depth of co-operation on various fronts, including economic and trade, innovation and technology, cultural and creative industries, and education and training of civil servants, through the co-operation mechanism between the two cities over the years. Mr Chan hoped that Hong Kong and Beijing would deepen their exchanges and co-operation in various aspects to enhance the complementarity and mutual benefits of both cities, thereby making greater contributions to the high-quality development of the country. In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and met with the Minister, Ms Wang Xiaoping, to exchange views on areas such as attracting talent and strengthening human resources development. Mr Chan briefed her on the needs for and situations of proactively drawing talent to Hong Kong and supplementing the local labour force. Of the HKSAR Government's measures, the various new initiatives of competing for talent such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme have received an overwhelming response from applicants. This shows that, as the most open and international city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Hong Kong can serve as the gateway to attract talent from around the world to pursue development in the area. Afterwards, Mr Chan called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and met with Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Nong Rong. Mr Chan expressed his gratitude to the Ministry for supporting the HKSAR Government's governance in accordance with the law, assisting in the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", and safeguarding the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. He also thanked the Ministry for supporting the HKSAR in developing external affairs in accordance with the Basic Law, strengthening exchanges and co-operation with the rest of the world, and providing assistance to Hong Kong citizens in distress overseas. The HKSAR Government will continue close liaison with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and firmly oppose any interference by external forces in Hong Kong's affairs. Mr Chan then called on the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) and met with Vice President Mr Fu Zhenbang to exchange views on the holistic youth development. Mr Chan said that the HKSAR Government, jointly with stakeholders in various sectors, was steadfastly implementing the Youth Development Blueprint released in December 2022, so as to enable Hong Kong youth to proactively integrate into the national development and seize the immense opportunities arising from the GBA development. He thanked the ACYF for its continuous support to Hong Kong in fostering youth exchanges with the Mainland. He looked forward to the relevant work being stepped up continuously. Ends/Thursday, April 27, 2023 Issued at HKT 21:24 NNNN