The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (Qianhai Authority) today (December 15) jointly held the Hong Kong-Qianhai Financial Cooperation Seminar by video conferencing, hosting in-depth discussion on the strategic direction of the future financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Qianhai.
 
     Speaking at the seminar, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said that Hong Kong's community and financial industry were greatly encouraged by the Plan for Comprehensive Deepening Reform and Opening Up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone announced in September this year and they were looking forward to the further co-operation between the two places. He also pointed out that the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy proposed by the Chief Executive would bring opportunities to promote higher-level collaboration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, so that the two places can give full play to their dual-engine function in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
     Mr Hui said, "The seminar enables us to share our thoughts and, more importantly, listen to the insights of the financial industry practitioners and regulators here. We will jointly push forward connectivity in respect of three major areas, namely capital, services and professions. We are dedicated with boundless ambition and lofty aspirations to create greater synergy and bring about rapid development that benefits both Hong Kong and Qianhai."
 
     On the Hong Kong side, the seminar was conducted at the Auditorium of the Central Government Offices. Over 100 representatives from the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, various financial regulators, a number of financial institutions and the trade attended. The Principal Liaison Officer for Hong Kong of the Qianhai Authority, Professor Witman Hung, was also present. In Qianhai, participants included representatives from the Qianhai Authority, the Shenzhen Finance Bureau and various financial regulatory agencies in Shenzhen as well as those from Qianhai enterprises, financial institutions, the trade and several banks eligible for launching the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Pilot Scheme.
 
     Mr Hui and Deputy Executive Director-general of the Qianhai Authority Mr Huang Xiaopeng delivered keynote speeches at the beginning of the seminar. Deputy Director-general of the Qianhai Authority Ms Wen Ping; the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; and a leading Party members groups' member in the Shenzhen Finance Bureau, Mr Wang Zhaochao, then chaired three thematic discussion sessions separately. Participants of both sides exchanged views on various issues including the pilot programme for Qualified Foreign Limited Partnership, the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Pilot Scheme, green finance and cross-boundary accounting services.
 
     In addition, Mr Hui took today's great opportunity to call on those attending the seminar in Hong Kong to vote in the Legislative Council General Election to be held on December 19 in order to elect new Legislative Council members who have the dedication and capability to build and develop a better Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Hui said, "We can gather together today to discuss new opportunities for co-operation between Hong Kong and Qianhai. It is wholly attributable to the Chinese Central Government's decisive promulgation on the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the improvement of the electoral system to provide Hong Kong with dual protection, allowing us to return to the right track of bringing social and economic development into focus.
 
     "Everyone's vote will help Hong Kong open a new era of good governance. It will also help us promote more financial co-operation with Qianhai and the Mainland, making our due contributions to the development of our country."

Ends/Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Issued at HKT 14:59

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