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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, is continuing her visit in Melbourne, Australia, today (September 15).
In the morning, Mrs Lam paid a visit to the University of Melbourne. She met with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, and discussed the issues of education and youth exchange between Hong Kong and Australia. Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Lam said, "Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Hong Kong students seeking to study overseas. There are about 9,000 Hong Kong students in Australia and many are studying in Melbourne."
Mrs Lam said she was pleased that the University of Melbourne has exchange agreements with universities in Hong Kong. She looked forward to further exchanges and collaboration between Hong Kong and the University of Melbourne in more areas, such as design, technology and public administration.
During the visit, Mrs Lam also toured the Melbourne School of Design, a purpose-built, studio-focused facility for contemporary courses in architecture, building and planning, before attending a reception with Hong Kong students at the University of Melbourne. Mrs Lam chatted with some 40 students from Hong Kong and updated them on recent developments in Hong Kong. She encouraged them to act as Hong Kong's ambassadors and treasure the learning experience at the University of Melbourne.
At noon, Mrs Lam delivered a speech at a business luncheon under the theme of "Hong Kong - Asia's Commercial Hub and Gateway to China". The luncheon, organised by Asialink, was attended by some 100 guests, including politicians, government officials, think tank representatives, academics and people from a wide range of business sectors.
Mrs Lam said at the business luncheon, "Hong Kong's unique position under 'one country, two systems' gives us powerful business and financial advantages. This constitutional status, guaranteed under the Basic Law, also gives Hong Kong its unique role as the 'super-connector' between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world.
"Hong Kong is poised to make an important contribution to the new Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road programmes."
Mrs Lam added, "Hong Kong has everything, from financial and human resources to market infrastructure and networks to business and professional know-how, to contribute to the successful and sustainable development of the 'Belt and Road' initiative."
Mrs Lam then departed for Canberra in the afternoon. On arrival at the Australian capital this evening, she will attend a dinner hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Mr Ma Zhaoxu.
Mrs Lam will continue her visit in Canberra tomorrow (September 16). She will meet with senior Australian federal government officials and members of Parliament before her departure for Sydney tomorrow evening.
Ends/Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:42
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