FS visits Singapore (with photos/video)
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     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, began his visit to Singapore yesterday (March 29).

     In the morning yesterday, Mr Chan attended the China Conference: Southeast Asia 2023 organised by the South China Morning Post and delivered a keynote speech.  He said that China and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations are rising as the world’s economic powerhouse, and the opportunities of Asian development are boundless.  Amid the pursuit of high-quality development by the country as well as  ASEAN commonly progressing towards digital economy and green transformation, Hong Kong will, with the staunch support of the country, actively assumes the function of the "eight centres", make full use of the advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and make contributions to the development of Asia as a whole, in particular in respect of advancing green finance, green technology and financial innovation.  
      
     Mr Chan then called on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, and exchanged views on global market development and the macroeconomic situation.

     In the afternoon yesterday, Mr Chan called on Deputy Chief of Commission and Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Singapore, Mr Zhang Xumin, and updated him of the latest situation of Hong Kong. Mr Chan also met with a company engaged in private equity and family offices business.

     Mr Chan then proceeded to the National University of Singapore and gave an address at a seminar organised jointly by the Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.  He briefed students on the unique status and advantages of Hong Kong and exchanged views with them on regional economic cooperation and development.  Mr Chan said that close economic and cultural ties are maintained between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries, and there is ample room of further cooperation in assisting the region in post-pandemic recovery and growth.  As China and ASEAN markets are huge, Hong Kong and Singapore, both as high-value added service platforms, can explore the opportunities together.
      
     Mr Chan attended dinner with members of major chambers of commerce in Singapore, and then met with young Hong Kong entrepreneurs and executives working in Singapore with a view to understanding their work and lives.

     Mr Chan will continue his visit to to Singapore today (March 30).  He will return to Hong Kong in the evening.

Ends/Thursday, March 30, 2023
Issued at HKT 9:00

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