Day of political calls for CE in London (with photos/video)
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     The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, has met key British political leaders during the first day (October 15, London time) of his official visit to the United Kingdom (UK).

     Mr Leung started his day by witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on health co-operation between Hong Kong and the UK by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health of the UK, Ms Jane Ellison.

     Under the MOU, Hong Kong and the UK aim to boost co-operation and exchanges in the areas of healthcare policy and health protection through various means such as sharing research and experience as well as exchanges and visits of healthcare professionals.

     Mr Leung said, "The signing of the MOU signifies that the bilateral relationships between Hong Kong and the UK scale new height. I look forward to even closer co-operation between the two communities in various aspects."

     The Chief Executive then met with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Philip Hammond, to exchange views on bilateral links between Hong Kong and the UK.

     Mr Leung said that Hong Kong-UK relations had been flourishing and he was looking forward to more British businesses to explore the Mainland and Asia markets through Hong Kong.

     During a meeting with members of the All-Party Parliamentary China Group of the UK Parliament, Mr Leung updated the group on Hong Kong's latest developments.

     He said "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and the high degree of autonomy under the Basic law had been successfully implemented since Hong Kong's return to the Motherland in 1997.

     Mr Leung also met the Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Patrick McLoughlin, for an exchange of views on transport management issues.

     Mr Leung explained how a series of major transport infrastructure projects in Hong Kong would enhance connectivity with neighbouring regions and the world. He added that the "Belt and Road" initiative of China would induce infrastructural development in the region, and Hong Kong's talented and experienced professionals could contribute in development of infrastructure of "Belt and Road" countries.

     In the evening, Mr Leung delivered the keynote speech at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's annual London dinner.

     "Our institutional strengths work hand-in-hand with the 'one country, two systems' arrangement that Hong Kong enjoys," Mr Leung told more than 400 guests.

     "Together, they have shaped an economy without precedent, a people powered by the twin engines of China and the world.
 
     "We are blessed with a pool of multilingual, multicultural and multitalented professionals in a wide spectrum of industries.

     "All these make Hong Kong the most desirable headquarters backup hub and global operational support centre, as well as an ideal training centre, for the 'Belt and Road'".

Ends/Friday, October 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 08:00

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