The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to Shanghai today (August 23).
           
     Accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Mrs Lam called on the Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Mr Han Zheng, and Mayor of Shanghai, Mr Ying Yong, and had a breakfast meeting with them.
           
     During the meeting, Mrs Lam expressed her gratitude to the Shanghai Municipal Government for its staunch support over the years to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), especially to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the HKSAR Government for their work in Shanghai. As both Hong Kong and Shanghai are important windows for the country to open up, she said that closer co-operation of the two places could help Mainland companies to "go global" and bring about opportunities for the development of Hong Kong and Shanghai. She believed that both places could leverage on their own advantages to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative.
           
     Mrs Lam and the other officials then took the high-speed train to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, she called on the Governor of Zhejiang Province, Mr Yuan Jiajun, and attended a lunch hosted by him.
           
     Mrs Lam remarked that Zhejiang Province has been developing rapidly and its achievements in terms of e-commerce and innovation and technology have been remarkable.  Noting that Hong Kong and Zhejiang already have close ties in economic and trade, she hoped that the two places could enhance co-operation in areas ranging from infrastructure to innovation and technology, services industry, culture and youth.
           
     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam and the other officials met with over 40 representatives of Hong Kong organisations and students living there to learn about their everyday lives.
           
     Mrs Lam and the other officials then visited a museum on silk culture showcasing embroidered costumes and accessories of different eras and characteristics, which has a collection of over a thousand modern and contemporary artefacts.
           
     Before concluding her visit, Mrs Lam and the other officials went to the Headquarters of the Alibaba Group and were briefed by its Executive Chairman, Mr Ma Yun on the latest development of the Group.  Mrs Lam pointed out that the HKSAR Government attaches importance to innovation and technology and would strive to develop Hong Kong into a smart city.  Mr Ma expressed support for the initiative and the Group would be keen to participate and assist Hong Kong in its development in the relevant areas.
           
     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning.

Ends/Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 22:58

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