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 concluded the three-day joint-Panel duty visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area (Bay Area) today (April 22) and returned to Hong Kong in the evening.

     In the morning, the delegation departed from Foshan to Guangzhou to visit EHang Intelligent Technology Company Limited, which is a high-technology innovative enterprise for intelligent drones. Members received a briefing from the company's representative on the latest application technology of intelligent drones and observed a demonstration of the operation of a rideable autonomous drone.

     The delegation then attended a seminar, themed "Advance the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area", held by the Guangdong Provincial Government. Deputy Director of the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Mr Zhong Ming, briefed Members on the role and work of the Guangdong Provincial Government in the development of the Bay Area. Members also discussed and exchanged views with the Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ouyang Weimin, who also attended the seminar, on the development of the Bay Area and a wide-range of topics such as technology, finance, professional services, tourism and manpower.

     After that, the delegation received a briefing from representatives of the Guangzhou Municipal Government on the city planning of Guangzhou to learn about the latest development of Guangzhou.

     The delegation also met with the Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou Municipality, Mr Chen Zhiying. Members took the chance to further understand the co-operation opportunities between Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the Bay Area.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the cultural landmarks in the Zhujiang New Town. Members first took a ride on electric vehicles to tour around the compound of the Zhujiang New Town, including Canton Tower, Guangzhou Library, Guangdong Museum and Guangzhou No.2 Children's Palace. They then visited the Experimental Theater and the Opera Hall of Guangzhou Opera House.

     The delegation then visited Guangzhou South Station to see for themselves the latest development of the high-speed rail network. After receiving a briefing on Guangdong Province and the Mainland's overall high-speed rail network at the platform, Members took a ride on the high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Futian Station in Shenzhen and experienced the train journey with speed close to 300 kilometers per hour.

     The delegation returned to Hong Kong in the evening and concluded its three-day duty visit.

     In summing up the duty visit, the delegation leader Mr Jeffrey Lam, who is also the Chairman of the Panel on Economic Development, said at Guangzhou South Station, "The visit programme of the three-day duty visit to the Bay Area is substantial and the result is significant. Through visiting various enterprises, including the innovative technology and start-up business, as well as meeting and exchanging views with representatives of the local Governments, Members have further understanding on the development of the Bay Area."

     Mr Lam added that Members joining the duty visit believed that it would enhance the mutual understanding between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Members were also grateful for the exchange opportunity.

     On behalf of the delegation, Mr Lam expressed gratitude to the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Innovation,the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, and Technology Bureau,  the Guangdong Provincial Government and related units, as well as the five Municipal Governments in Guangdong Province for their thoughtful assistance that made the duty visit concluded smoothly.

     The LegCo Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Financial Affairs, Panel on Commerce and Industry, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting conducted a three-day joint-Panel duty visit to five cities in the Bay Area between April 20 and 22. The delegation has a total of 32 Members. Apart from the delegation leader Mr Lam, other participating Panel Members included the Chairman of Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Wu Chi-wai; the Chairman of Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Charles Mok; the Chairman of Panel on Financial Affairs, Mr Kenneth Leung; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Financial Affairs, Mr Christopher Cheung; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Dr Elizabeth Quat; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Economic Development, Mr Alvin Yeung; the Deputy Chairman of Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Shiu Ka-fai; Mr Chan Kin-por; Mrs Regina Ip; Mr Paul Tse; Mr Michael Tien; Mr Steven Ho; Mr Yiu Si-wing; Mr Ma Fung-kwok; Mr Dennis Kwok; Mr Martin Liao; Ir Dr Lo Wai-kwok; Mr Jimmy Ng; Mr Holden Chow; Ms Yung Hoi-yan; Mr Chan Chun-ying; and Mr Lau Kwok-fan as well as non-Panel members Professor Joseph Lee, Mr Leung Che-cheung, Dr Helena Wong, Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Mr Poon Siu-ping, Mr Ho Kai-ming, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Kenneth Lau and Mr Vincent Cheng.

Ends/Sunday, April 22, 2018
Issued at HKT 22:52

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