Following the meeting with about 30 Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress on February 12, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by Secretaries of Departments and a Director of Bureau, met with more than 80 Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) today (February 14) to listen to their views on Hong Kong's integration with the overall development of the nation and its active participation in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
     Mrs Lam said that with the concern and support of the leaders of the Central Government, Hong Kong has made good progress in various areas in the past year and that she was very encouraged by it. Those areas include Hong Kong's active participation in and contribution to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative; strengthening of co-operation with the Mainland in innovation and technology; seeking of measures to assist Hong Kong residents in studying, working and living in the Mainland; and enhancement and implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. In particular, she said that the long-anticipated Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will be promulgated within days, making 2019 the opening year of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. She encouraged the members of the CPPCC to actively express their views and propose feasible initiatives.
 
     In addition, given that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Mrs Lam said the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will organise a series of celebration activities and that she welcomes organisations and other bodies to which the CPPCC members belonged to hold celebrations to share the joy with members of the public.

Ends/Thursday, February 14, 2019
Issued at HKT 20:06

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