The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, continued to lead the Hong Kong delegation to pay a courtesy visit to Beijing today (March 2).
In the morning, the delegation called on the Inspector of the Department of Western Region Development of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Ou Xiaoli, to learn more about the Belt and Road Initiative. They also discussed how the Hong Kong professional services and construction sector can participate in the implementation of infrastructure projects.
The delegation later met with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Mr Yi Jun, to exchange views on the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, the Belt and Road Initiative and reconstruction projects on the Mainland supported by Hong Kong. They also shared preliminary views on the preparation of the 2017 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Industry Forum and the 2017 World Sustainable Built Environment Conference to be held in Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, the delegation called on the Deputy Director-General of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Mr Liu Shuguang, to discuss heritage conservation.
The delegation includes 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.
Mr Chan will accompany the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, to call on officials from relevant central ministries tomorrow (March 3) and return to Hong Kong in the evening. Mr Ma will act as Secretary for Development.
Ends/Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:20
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