The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Financial Affairs, Panel on Commerce and Industry, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting continued the joint-Panel duty visit in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (the Bay Area) today (April 21). After completing the itinerary in Dongguan in the morning, the delegation continued the visit in Zhongshan and Foshan.

      In the morning, the delegation visited the China Spallation Neutron Source facility (the Facility) located at Songshan Lake, Dongguan. The Facility is the national large-scale science infrastructure and is co-built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Guangdong Province with an investment of total HK$2.7 billion. It is the largest science infrastructure on the Mainland and also the fourth neutron source facility in the world.

     Guided by the Deputy Director of Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS, Professor Chen Yanwei, the delegation observed the linac and the rapid cycling synchrotron, which are installed 17 metres underground, and toured the control centre. Members learnt that the Facility may be applied to wide-ranging academic fields such as materials science, life science, physics, chemistry, new energy as well as resources and environment. Members also took the chance to learn about the co-operation opportunities for Hong Kong's researchers using the Facility's instruments to pursue research projects.

     After completing the itinerary in Dongguan, the delegation arrived in Zhongshan at noon and attended a luncheon with the Vice Mayor of the Zhongshan Municipality, Mr Lei Yuelong. Members were told that the Zhongshan Municipality has been developing into a livable city in recent years and has made progress in environmental management. There is room for co-operation with Hong Kong on medical services and tourism in the future. The Director General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Liao Jingshan also joined the luncheon and exchanged views with Members on issues of mutual concern.

     The delegation visited the Tsui Hang New District Planning Exhibition Centre in the afternoon. During the visit, the delegation received a briefing from representatives of the Zhongshan Municipal Government on the planning, transport network and development of medical industry in Tsui Hang New District, as well as the role of Zhongshan in the development of the Bay Area.

      The delegation then observed the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link West Landing Point to learn about the latest development of the transport infrastructure in the Bay Area. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a 24-kilometre highway connecting Shenzhen and Zhongshan, is expected to be opened in 2024. Upon completion, it will only take 30 minutes to travel from Zhongshan to Shenzhen.

      Before leaving Zhongshan, the delegation visited Qingsheng transportation hub in Nansha district, Guangzhou. Members observed the platform of the Nansha Qingsheng High-speed Rail Station and received a briefing on the highways and rail networks linking the eastern and western shores of the Pearl River. Members learnt that upon the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the Qingsheng transportation hub will enhance Hong Kong's connectivity to the Bay Area.

     Upon arrival at Foshan in the evening, the delegation first visited Lingnan Tiandi, an integrated district where preserves one of the most intact compound of historic buildings on the Mainland for cultural, tourism, residential and commercial use. At Lingnan Tiandi, Members paid a visit to the Kan's Villa. Members took the opportunity to learn more about the policy of heritage conservation and old town revitalization in Foshan, as well as the experience in developing and managing historic heritage revitalisation projects.

      The delegation then visited Foshan Sanshan New City Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Technology Exhibition and Exchange Center (the Exchange Center). Led by representatives of the Exchange Center, Members toured the facilities in the Exchange Center. Members were briefed on the assistance offered by the Exchange Center that facilitated Hong Kong's young innovation and technology talents to start up business in the Mainland. Members also had a chance to meet with Hong Kong's young entrepreneurs in Foshan to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges they encountered. Meanwhile, Members were briefed by representatives of the Foshan Municipal Government on the planning of Sanshan New City.

      The delegation met with the representatives of the Foshan Municipal Government in the evening and received a briefing by the Vice Mayor of Foshan Municipality, Ms Yu Jin, on the role of Foshan in the development of the Bay Area. Both parties also exchanged views on the co-operation between Hong Kong and Foshan over cultural and creative industry and other areas.

      The delegation will depart for Guangzhou tomorrow (April 22) to visit EHang Intelligent Technology Company Limited, the cultural landmarks in Zhujiang New Town and Guangzhou South Railway Station, as well as attending a seminar with the Guangdong Provincial Government and meeting with the Guangzhou Municipal Government. The delegation will travel to Shenzhen's Futian Station by high-speed rail and then return to Hong Kong in the evening.

      A total of 32 Members participated in the joint-Panel duty visit, which is led by the delegation leader Mr Jeffrey Lam, who is also the Chairman of the Panel on Economic Development. The delegation visits five cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan and Zhongshan, from April 20 to 22. At the invitation of the joint-Panel delegation, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau also participated in the duty visit.

Ends/Saturday, April 21, 2018
Issued at HKT 23:38

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