The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, led a delegation to start their two-day visit programme in Beijing today (March 1).
The delegation started the day by paying a courtesy call on the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhou Bo. Both sides exchanged views on the development and business opportunities of professional services in Guangdong and other provinces and municipalities on the Mainland, the progress of Hong Kong's foreign projects, as well as the progress of the "Belt and Road" Initiative.
The delegation later met with the Vice Minister of Water Resources, Mr Zhou Xuewen, to learn about the national water resources, water quality management, water supply system and nature conservation. They also exchanged views on Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong, Hong Kong's management of water resources, water mains network management and desalination technology.
In the afternoon, the delegation called on the Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Zhang Jun, and the Director-General of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Sun Tong, to learn about the progress of the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the business opportunities brought by the Initiative to Hong Kong's professional services. They also exchanged views on various issues including the progress of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and reconstruction projects on the Mainland supported by Hong Kong.
The delegation include the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Mr Michael Wong; the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr Eric Ma; and representatives from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, the Hong Kong Institute of Planners and the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects.
The visit will continue tomorrow (March 2).
Ends/Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:22