The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to France in Marseille today (June 18, Marseille time) and attended a ceremony on delivery of helicopters for the Government Flying Service (GFS).

     On arrival in Marseille yesterday evening (June 17, Marseille time), Mrs Lam met with the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China to Marseille, Ms Lu Huiying, over dinner. This morning, she met with the Vice President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) Region, Mrs Caroline Pozmentier-Sportich, and listened to the sharing of experience by representatives of local enterprises in exploration of the Hong Kong and Asian markets as well as co-operation with Chinese enterprises. Businesses of the participants range from charging technology and renewable energy to interactive digital experiences, wine and engines. Noting that the PACA region and Hong Kong have a lot in common, with both places being major ports in the world having vibrant maritime and logistics industry and tourism, Mrs Lam said she looks forward to enhanced exchanges and collaboration between the two places. In particular on innovation and technology (I&T), she said she is pleased to note that both the region and Hong Kong attach great importance to I&T development.  She expressed the hope that co-operation between universities and institutes from the two places as well as collaboration in terms of research and development would be strengthened.

     Mrs Lam then headed for Airbus Helicopters to attend a ceremony on delivery of helicopters for the GFS. Addressing the ceremony, she said that she is delighted to accept three new helicopters on behalf of the GFS of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Praising the GFS for serving in all kinds of emergency operations, she said the GFS crew have to work under extremely testing weather conditions and demanding operating environments.  She noted that the GFS has conducted many rescue operations in Hong Kong and the South China Sea, as well as after the massive Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. She added that with advanced helicopter manufacturing technology and enhanced capacity, the new helicopters will provide enormous help to the work of GFS and that she thanked Airbus Helicopters for ensuring their smooth production. Also attending the ceremony was the State Secretary to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, who said in his address that he treasures the long-standing and close co-operation relationship between France and Hong Kong.

     At noon, Mrs Lam attended a lunch hosted by the Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Helicopters, Mr Bruno Even, at which they discussed the development of the helicopter business in the Asia-Pacific region. 

     Mrs Lam toured Airbus Helicopters in the afternoon to learn about the factory operation and the facility for flight simulation training. The GFS sends their pilots there regularly to receive training. 

     Mrs Lam then departed for Paris and will continue her visit to France tomorrow (June 19, Paris time).
 

Ends/Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Issued at HKT 1:54

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