​The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, continued her visit in Beijing today (June 1). 

     She called on the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and met with the Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Department and Director General of International Affairs Department, Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, Mr Pan Jiang, in the morning to learn about the NDRC's work in national economic development. Ms Ho stated that she will lead the Housing Bureau to strengthen connections with the Mainland, grasp the opportunities brought about by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, take part in the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively play a bridging role to better integrate into the national development. 

     Ms Ho also met with the President of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, Mr Wang Kai, to learn about the academy's work in promoting urban policy formulation. The academy collects various types of data through the national urban-rural information platform to analyse the development dimensions of different regions. Moreover, they exchanged ideas on land use, housing planning and community development. Ms Ho also shared the work in public housing management and building housing ladder in Hong Kong.

     Ms Ho later visited a state-owned enterprise, namely the Beijing Public Housing Center (BPHC), and toured its indemnificatory housing projects, including restaurants and other shared facilities within the projects. She also talked with residents to understand their daily lives. Furthermore, Ms Ho attended a seminar organised by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the BPHC to exchange insights.

     Ms Ho and the team will meet with leaders of the Beijing Municipal Government tomorrow (June 2) to explore the development of various rental housings in Beijing Municipality, and exchange views on enhancing housing policies and issues. They will also tour the Beixiaoyuan in Tongzhou District.

     Ms Ho will conclude her visit in Beijing and return to Hong Kong tomorrow.

Ends/Thursday, June 1, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:40

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