The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, continued her visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area in Zhuhai today (March 30).

     Mrs Lam and the other officials visited the Hengqin New Area Exhibition Hall in Zhuhai in the morning to learn about the latest development of Hengqin. The Exhibition Hall showcases the Hengqin’s vision, overall planning and achievements in the past few years. She said she is pleased to note that the Hengqin New Area attaches importance to a liveable environment and includes design elements in the construction of waterways and bridges.

     Mrs Lam also visited Novotown in Hengqin which is invested and developed by a Hong Kong enterprise. Novotown is an integrated project featuring tourism, entertainment, education as well as cultural and creative attractions. The first phase of the project is expected to commence operation early next year. Mrs Lam noted that internship opportunities would be made available to Hong Kong young people during the development phase of the project.

     Mrs Lam and the other officials then went to the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB) by car, went all the way to the linking point with Hong Kong via the Main Bridge formed by the bridge section and the subsea tunnel section, inspecting the two artificial islands on the East and West along the way to learn about the latest situation of the Zhuhai section of the HZMB. Amazed by the magnificence of the bridge, Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the personnel who manage and construct the project for their untiring efforts. She said that the commissioning of the HZMB is set to enhance the flow of people and goods in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and bring about numerous development opportunities for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in various aspects including tourism, finance, business and logistics.

     At noon, Mrs Lam and the other officials met with the Secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, Mr Guo Yonghang, and attended a lunch hosted by him. She said that her visit to Hengqin and the Zhuhai section of the HZMB today is an important part of her visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area this time. Congratulating the Zhuhai Municipal Government for its remarkable achievements since her last visit only five years ago, she said Hengqin has set an excellent example for full and comprehensive co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. She said that while each of the cities in the Bay Area has their unique advantages, there are various areas in which Hong Kong and Zhuhai can collaborate, including innovation and technology, cultural tourism, the creative industries, education and medical services. With the commissioning of the HZMB which will draw people in Hong Kong and Zhuhai closer together, she said that Hong Kong people, in particular its young people will find tremendous opportunities for development in Zhuhai and that she hopes the government of the two places can strengthen connection to explore more projects with mutual benefits.

     Mrs Lam returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Ends/Friday, March 30, 2018
Issued at HKT 21:32

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