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The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, today (June 9, Paris time) continued his visit in Paris to promote relations with the French Government and the French community.
Mr Leung started the day with a meeting with the Prime Minister of France, Mr Manuel Valls. He remarked that Hong Kong and France have enjoyed a strong bilateral relationship and there was a sizeable French presence in Hong Kong. Introducing Hong Kong's combined advantages under "one country" and "two systems", Mr Leung said that Hong Kong was a "super-connector" between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world. He looked forward to expanding ties with the French Government in various areas, including innovation and technology (I&T), transportation, trade, professional services, education and culture.
After the meeting, Mr Leung paid a visit to Usine IO, an incubator for hardware prototyping. Impressed by their fast-growing start-up culture, Mr Leung encouraged more French companies to start I&T businesses in Hong Kong.
The Chief Executive then delivered a speech at a luncheon with French businessmen hosted by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, and Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Noting that Hong Kong was recently ranked the world's most competitive economy, Mr Leung highlighted Hong Kong's advantages, including free trade, the rule of law, a common use of English, an open and international society, as well as close connection to the Mainland of China. He also outlined Hong Kong's latest efforts in promoting I&T, and encouraged French enterprises to look to Hong Kong for business and collaboration opportunities.
In the afternoon, Mr Leung will meet with the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly. Mr Leung will leave Paris at night and is due back in Hong Kong in the afternoon of June 10 (Hong Kong time).
Ends/Thursday, June 9, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:49
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MP4 format