SCMA concludes fruitful visit to Beijing (with photos)
20.7.2023

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, concluded his two-day visit to Beijing and returned to Hong Kong on July 19. He said that the visit was short yet very fruitful. He first called on the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and visited the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Beijing. He was received by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong. Mr Tsang met with the NDRC and had in-depth exchanges on various practical works for promoting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) development. He also thanked the NDRC for its strong support for Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country. Mr Tsang said, "The discussion with the NDRC was very pragmatic. Both sides exchanged views candidly, which is very important for further promoting Hong Kong's integration into the country's development in the future. Looking forward, I will pay more visits to different Mainland provinces and municipalities to strengthen co-operation and communication with different ministries, with a view to promoting the mutually beneficial development between Hong Kong and the GBA and all Mainland cities." Mr Tsang later visited the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing and got an update on their work. He encouraged colleagues to strive to accomplish the works, including attracting enterprises and talents of good quality, telling good Hong King stories, and supporting the Hong Kong residents and enterprises on the Mainland, despite the heavy workload after the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland. He also reminded colleagues to make every effort to render support to Hong Kong citizens on the Mainland, providing full assistance especially when they are in distress or seeking assistance. Director Xia attentively listened to the briefing by Mr Tsang on the latest works including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's integration into the overall development of the country, the reform of the District Councils, and the improving district governance. Director Xia fully affirmed those works especially the passing of the District Councils (Amendment) Ordinance. He said the passing of the Ordinance shows the the positive interaction between the Executive and Legislature. Director Xia also encouraged the HKSAR government to fully proceed with the follow-up work, including continuing to explain to all sectors of society the advantages brought by the new proposal, and carrying out various preparation works for the District Council elections. Director Xia also reminded the HKSAR government to accomplish the work on improving district governance, in order to let the public to experience the advantages of the new system and to enhance people's sense of achievement and satisfaction. Concluding his trip, Mr Tsang said this two-day visit was very fruitful. He expressed his gratitude to the support by the Central Government to the HKSAR and will continue to lead his colleagues to fully support the Chief Executive to govern by law, in order to make good use of Hong Kong's distinctive advantages under the "one country, two systems", so as to leverage Hong Kong's strengths to contribute to the needs of the country and to inject strong impetus for the growth of Hong Kong's socio-economic development.