CE visits Conghua in Guangzhou (with photos)
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     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, attended the opening ceremony of the first Exhibition Raceday held by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) in collaboration with the local government at the Conghua Racecourse in Conghua, Guangzhou today (March 23).

     Addressing the opening ceremony, Mrs Lam said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), with its experience in the organisation of horse races and enforcement of stringent animal and plant quarantine measures over the years, implemented the first Specific Equine Disease-free Zone in the Mainland in Conghua jointly with the relevant Mainland authorities and the Guangdong Provincial Government, and developed the former Asian Games equestrian venue into the current world-class horse training centre and racecourse, providing a support base for the sport of horse racing in Hong Kong and also promoting the development of equestrian sports in the country. She pointed out that the establishment and continued operation of the Disease-free Zone and the racecourse are fruitful outcomes brought about by the joint efforts of the HKSAR and the Mainland which employ their respective strengths, and is a successful model in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.

     Mrs Lam viewed the first race, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy, after the opening ceremony and officiated at the prize presentation ceremony. The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhang Xiaoming, the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Ma Xingrui and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wang Zhimin also attended the activity.

     In the morning, Mrs Lam visited various facilities at the Conghua Racecourse, including the horse training ground as well as the first world-class equine hospital and rehabilitation centre in the Mainland. She also attended a gala dinner hosted by the HKJC after arriving in Conghua yesterday (March 22).

     Mrs Lam will depart for Beijing this afternoon and attend the 20th China Development Forum on March 24 and 25.

Ends/Saturday, March 23, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:53

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