The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, continued his visit to Hangzhou today (August 13).
In the morning, Mr Chan visited the Hangzhou National Archives of Publications and Culture to view the Chinese classics and Chinese cultural relics displayed, as well as its layout which blends into the natural environment. There he also exchanged views with mentees and mentors of the Hangzhou study tour under the Strive and Rise Programme. He listened to the mentees’ sharing about how they used the Programme’s financial support to strengthen their learning ability and develop their interests. He was also pleased to learn that the mentees have enhanced their understanding of the history and culture of the country, and strengthened their sense of national identity through the visit to the Hangzhou National Archives of Publications and Culture. He encouraged the mentees to continue to grasp the diversified learning opportunities offered by the Strive and Rise Programme, and work hard for continuous self-enhancement.
At noon, Mr Chan met with the Chairman of the Hangzhou Political Consultative Congress, Mr Ma Weiguang; the Chairman of the Ningbo Political Consultative Congress, Mr Chen Long; the Chairman of the Shaoxing Political Consultative Congress, Mr Wei Wei; and the President of the Hong Kong Hangzhou Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Friendship Association, Mr Hu Huikang. They exchanged views on the latest developments in Hong Kong and various cities in Zhejiang. Mr Chan said that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai and the Zhejiang Liaison Unit of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will continue to act as a bridge by maintaining close liaison with the Political Consultative Congresses of the various cities in Zhejiang and the Hong Kong Hangzhou CPPCC Friendship Association, with a view to fostering the partnership between Zhejiang and Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited BrainCo, a start-up in China (Hangzhou) Artificial Intelligence Town to learn about the latest developments of its non-invasive brain-computer interface technology. He watched demonstrations of smart prostheses writing calligraphy, playing the piano and walking. He was pleased to learn that the innovative technologies allow disabled people to regain mobility and carry out daily activities by controlling external devices with their thoughts, living up to the concept of scientific research results benefiting the public. He also encouraged Zhejiang start-ups to foster co-operation in innovation and technology as well as make use of the premier business environment, innovation opportunities, and diverse talent pool of Hong Kong to expand overseas through establishing a base in the city.
Afterwards, Mr Chan attended a gathering organised by the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Zhejiang, where he met with dozens of Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Zhejiang to learn about their latest developments in the province. He shared with them the latest work of the HKSAR Government in areas including safeguarding national security, developing the city’s economy, improving people’s livelihood, fostering patriotic education, and supporting the city’s integration into the national development. Mr Chan thanked the chamber for its continuous efforts in bringing together Hong Kong people and businessmen in Zhejiang, and promoting economic and trade co-operation and cultural exchanges between the two places. He encouraged them to foster exchanges and co-operation between Zhejiang and Hong Kong and make greater contributions to the country’s high-quality development.
Mr Chan then met with Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government Mr Lu Shan to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Zhejiang and Hong Kong. Mr Chan said that Zhejiang and Hong Kong have had close relations and frequent exchanges all along. He pointed out that the Co-operation Agreement between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province to Jointly Promote High-quality Development signed by him and Mr Lu in Hong Kong last year has laid a more solid foundation for promoting complementarity and mutual benefits, and achieving high-quality development of the two places.
Mr Chan said that relevant government authorities and institutions in Zhejiang and Hong Kong are working together at full steam to implement the co-operation agreement by furthering exchanges and co-operation in various fields, such as finance, technology innovation, commerce and trade, aviation, education, youth, culture and tourism. He expressed a strong desire for Zhejiang and Hong Kong to build on past achievements and break new ground while upholding fundamental principles; and for both places to deepen co-operation on all fronts as well as consolidate and enhance their roles as an important “participant” in domestic circulation and an active “facilitator” in the national and international dual circulation. Both places are expected to make further contributions to building a great country and advancing the national rejuvenation.
Mr Chan’s last day of his visit to Hangzhou will be tomorrow (August 14). He will depart for Hong Kong in the afternoon.
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