CS and Vice-Governor of Fujian Province co-chair First Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference (with photos/videos)

CS and Vice-Governor of Fujian Province co-chair First Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference (with photos/videos)
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     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Vice-Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Zheng Xiaosong, today (January 22) co-chaired the First Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference in Fuzhou. Relevant officials from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Fujian Provincial People's Government also attended the Conference.

     "The establishment of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference has brought exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian Province to a new level, better leveraging the strengths of the two places and promoting their development. I am glad to co-chair the First Co-operation Conference with Mr Zheng to discuss ways of enhancing co-operation in economic and trade as well as financial fronts between the two places," Mrs Lam said.

     At the meeting, the governments of HKSAR and Fujian Province reached consensus on enhancing co-operation in the economic, trade and financial fronts. An agreement was signed on strengthening economic and trade co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian Province and another agreement was signed on strengthening financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian Province. The main scope of the co-operation agreements is as follows:

Economic and trade co-operation
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     To further strengthen economic and trade exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian Province, both sides agreed to enhance co-operation in the service industry, assist Fujian enterprises to explore the overseas market and attract foreign investment, explore Hong Kong/Fujian tourism co-operation and establish a liaison mechanism for the implementation of the agreement.

Financial co-operation
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     To further strengthen financial exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian Province, both sides agreed to enhance co-operation in the banking, insurance, securities and accounting services industries as well as the financial market. A liaison mechanism will be established for the implementation of the agreement.

     After the Conference, Mrs Lam called on the Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Mr You Quan, and the Governor of Fujian, Mr Su Shulin, to exchange views on co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian. Mrs Lam said, "Hong Kong service industry talents are equipped with an international perspective and vast experience. With the enormous business opportunities offered by two agreements between Hong Kong and Fujian Province and the pilot free trade zone in Fujian, Hong Kong talents can respond to the development of Fujian by exploring the local market to enhance exchanges and co-operation between the two places, which will bring about mutual benefits and prosperity."

     Accompanying Mrs Lam to attend the Conference were the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam; the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Chang King-yiu; the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Godfrey Leung; and the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau.

     Mrs Lam started her visit to Fujian Province around noon today. Prior to the First Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference, Mrs Lam had a lunch meeting with representatives of the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations in Fuzhou to discuss opportunities arising from further co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian Province. She later toured the Fuzhou City Planning Exhibition Hall and received a briefing by representatives of the Fujian Provincial People's Government on the planning for the free trade zone to better understand the latest developments in Fujian Province. Mrs Lam also visited the Fujian Liaison Unit of the HKSAR Government, which has been in operation since 2012, to learn more about the work of its staff.

     Mrs Lam will visit Quanzhou tomorrow (January 23) to meet with leaders of Quanzhou city and Hong Kong students studying there as well as visit local enterprises before heading for Xiamen.

Ends/Thursday, January 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:48

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