CS visits Heilongjiang Province (with photos/videos)
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Mr Chan met with the Secretary of the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee, Mr Xu Qin, to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Heilongjiang Province. Mr Chan said that over the past year, Hong Kong and Heilongjiang have had mutual engagements, close exchanges and co-operation efforts that have reached an unprecedented level. At the Heilongjiang-Hong Kong Investment Cooperation Conference held in Hong Kong in March this year, the two places signed Memoranda of Understanding for strengthening co-operation on education, economics and trade, culture and tourism, sports and youth, and other fields, breaking new ground and laying a solid foundation for future co-operation. He said that Hong Kong possesses the unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle and a business environment that is highly market-oriented and internationalised, underpinned by the rule of law and an array of global professional talent and services. Mr Chan said he eagerly looks forward to deepening co-operation in all aspects between Hong Kong and Heilongjiang, complementing each other's strengths,and achieving mutual benefits to make greater contributions to building a great country and realising the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Afterwards, Mr Chan attended the launch ceremony of the Hong Kong Patriotic Education Heilongjiang Study Tour under the Strive and Rise Programme. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, he expressed gratitude to the Heilongjiang Provincial Government for its strong organisational support work for the study tour, which travelled to and from Harbin by chartered flights arranged by Greater Bay Airlines. With over 130 participants, this study tour is the largest tour in scale since the launch of the Strive and Rise Programme. Mr Chan said at the event that given the rapid advancements in the country’s science and technology sectors, Heilongjiang Province has also developed various high-tech industries. He encouraged the participants to engage in different activities on the study tour to deepen the understanding of the country’s history, culture and economic development, and experience fascinating technological innovations. These will help the participants set goals for their future and strive for upward mobility.
This morning (July 16), Mr Chan and members of the study tour visited the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army, which is one of the first batch of 100 demonstration bases for patriotic education in the country. The visit allowed the participants to gain a deeper understanding of the crimes of Unit 731 through the displayed objects, pictures, archives, multimedia materials etc. Mr Chan said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance, and the exhibition hall is an important place for patriotic education. He said he hopes that members of the study tour will take this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships in national development and building a strong nation, cultivate a deeper and firmer patriotic sentiment through recognising historical facts, and consciously shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding national security.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan met with the Secretary of the CPC Harbin Municipal Committee, Mr Yu Hongtao. They exchanged views on promoting exchanges and co-operation in various aspects between the two places in the future. Noting that Harbin has been added as one of the Mainland cities eligible for the Individual Visit Scheme since May last year, and that direct flights between Hong Kong and Harbin have been launched, Mr Chan said that the partnerships between the two places have become closer. He expressed his hope for the two cities to work together to explore more co-operation opportunities. In addition, Mr Chan mentioned that the HKSAR Government is steadfastly carrying out the work of patriotic education, including organising more Mainland exchange and study tours. He said he expected more Hong Kong young people to visit Harbin for exchanges and study, with an aim of enhancing Hong Kong young people's sense of identity with, sense of belonging to, and pride towards the country.
Mr Chan will conclude his visit and return to Hong Kong this afternoon.
Ends/Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:33
Issued at HKT 14:33
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