The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to Beijing today (August 7). In the morning, Mrs Lam visited China Railway with the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, to meet with the General Manager of China Railway, Mr Lu Dongfu. She thanked the China Railway for providing assistance to Hong Kong on the construction of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and was briefed by Mr Lu on the immense benefits brought by high-speed rail in promoting social and economic developments as well as in enhancing connections between cities. The two parties agreed to put in place a strengthened coordination mechanism in the coming year in order to prepare sound operational plans for the opening of the Hong Kong section of the Express Rail Link.

     Mrs Lam and Mr Chan then met with the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Mr Jin Liqun, and attended a lunch hosted by him. She said she was very pleased with the admission of Hong Kong as a new member to the AIIB earlier this year. She had every confidence that services to be provided by Hong Kong’s professional and financial industries would make important contributions to the AIIB. Mrs Lam also joined a seminar and introduced to nearly 100 AIIB personnel from around the world the unique advantages Hong Kong enjoys under “one country, two systems” and shared with them her public service experience.

     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam called on the Minister of Education, Mr Chen Baosheng. Remarking that more and more young people in Hong Kong choose to study and work in the Mainland, she thanked the Ministry of Education for providing assistance to the students to study, work and live in the Mainland and said she looked forward to more exchanges for both educational institutions and students between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

     Mrs Lam then called on the President of the All-China Women's Federation, Ms Shen Yueyue, and shared her experience in the work of the Government on safeguarding the rights of women and children.

     Mrs Lam, together with Mr Chan and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, then met with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya, and discussed with him various matters relating to the Mainland and Hong Kong.

     Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (August 8).

Ends/Monday, August 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 23:22

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