​The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Ho Iat-seng, at Government House today (February 25) to exchange views on promoting Hong Kong's co-operation with Macao and high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Also attending the meeting were the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
      
     Mr Lee welcomed Mr Ho's visit to Hong Kong with his delegation. He said that since the implementation of full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and Macao on February 6, travel between the two places has resumed vigorously, demonstrating the close ties and connection between Hong Kong and Macao.
      
     He added that being special administrative regions of the country, both Hong Kong and Macao uphold the principle of "one country" while leveraging the advantages of "two systems". With the unique advantages under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong and Macao are integrated into the Mainland while having strong international connectivity, serving as a bridge linking the Mainland and the rest of the world. Hong Kong and Macao are both cities in the GBA, jointly promoting regional development, participating in, contributing to and benefiting from the prosperous development of the country.
      
     Mr Lee introduced to Mr Ho the establishment of the Steering Group on Integration into National Development. The Group is chaired by him, with three Secretaries of Departments as deputies, enhancing the leadership to "1+3". The strengthened top-level co-ordination and leadership will enable Hong Kong to more proactively integrate into the overall development of the country.
      
     He said that Hong Kong and Macao had all along been maintaining close co-operation in various important areas, including commerce, cross-boundary infrastructure and cultural tourism under the spirit of complementarity, with a view to jointly promoting the development of the GBA. For example, on commerce, since the signing of the Hong Kong and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement in 2017, Hong Kong enterprises have captured more and better business opportunities in Macao's market, facilitating the flow of commerce and investment between both sides.
      
     He was pleased to know that Mr Ho had visited the Hong Kong Science Park and the Centre for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development under the InnoHK in co-operation with the University of Macao this morning, which enabled the Hong Kong SAR to introduce its achievements in promoting innovation and technology development. He also welcomed the Macao Government Tourism Office's invitation to a large-scale delegation formed by members of the Hong Kong tourism sector to visit Macao this month to step up joint tourism promotion and the development of tourism industry of both sides.
      
     Mr Lee said that he looks forward to visiting Macao next week to have an in-depth discussion with Mr Ho on further deepening Hong Kong's co-operation with Macao, with a view to generating stronger impetus to the growth of the GBA including both SARs and making greater contribution to national development.

Ends/Saturday, February 25, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:30

NNNN