The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Executive Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Ms Guo Ningning, co-chaired the Fourth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference today (June 28). At the meeting, both Hong Kong and Fujian reviewed the achievements made since the Third Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference and set out the key co-operation areas.
 
     Mr Chan said that Hong Kong and Fujian have deep ties, are connected by blood, and co-operate closely. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established a liaison office in Fujian in 2012, serving as an important bridge to promote exchanges and co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong. He said, "The Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference plays a key leading, facilitating and catalytic role in promoting exchanges and collaboration between the two places. The governments of the two places will continue to pursue holistic co-operation on the principle of 'highlighting key points, leveraging on strengths, being pragmatic and innovative, and achieving mutual benefits through co-operation', seizing opportunities for mutually beneficial development, and joining hands to integrate into the overall development of the country to benefit the people of the two places."
 
     At the meeting, the governments of the two places agreed to pursue holistic exchanges and co-operation in 10 key areas:
 
Trade and investment 
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     Promote Fujian and Hong Kong economic departments to sign economic and trade-related memoranduma of co-operation; support Fujian and Hong Kong enterprises to join hands in investment and trade in countries and regions along the Belt and Road; support Fujian enterprises to participate in various international professional fairs held in Hong Kong, and hold different kinds of economic and trade collaboration activities.

Finance
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     Further implement the memorandum of co-operation between the Fujian Provincial Government and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, co-operate with relevant departments to organise training, and actively support Fujian enterprises to go public in Hong Kong and issue bonds for financing.

     Promote Fujian enterprises that need to issue overseas bonds to issue bonds in Hong Kong, and encourage more Fujian enterprises to use Hong Kong's capital market and financial and professional services for green and sustainable investment, financing and certification.

Innovation and technology
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     Make full use of the platform of the Digital China Summit to promote the active participation of the innovation and technology industries in Fujian Province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in various economic and trade activities of the Summit; strengthen the co-operation in research and development of high-level scientific research institutions such as Fujian and Hong Kong State Key Laboratories, and jointly promote the development of industrial technology and innovation in leading areas.

Aviation, marine transport and logistics 
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     Deepen the exchanges between the Fujian and Hong Kong logistics sector in project development and personnel training; Hong Kong will provide Fujian with consultation on airport operation management and infrastructure construction, and carry out training co-operation and exchanges between the two parties.

Healthcare and Chinese medicine
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     Promote exchanges in the medical and health sectors between Fujian and Hong Kong; deepen exchanges and co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong in the areas of Chinese medicine medical services and personnel training, and encourage exchanges and interactions between Chinese medicine institutions and academic groups in the two places.

     Promote the communication between Xiamen Biomedical Port and biomedical related departments of Hong Kong universities, and conduct professional communication on organising exchanges and visits, roadshows of achievements, and professional exchanges in technology transfers.

Cultural exchange 
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     Encourage cultural and art institutions and industry associations in Fujian and Hong Kong to jointly plan cultural performances, cultural exhibitions and other activities; promote exchanges between the two places in the cultivation of performing talent, mutual visits and exchange performances, creation and performance of high-quality repertoires, art popularisation and youth art, etc.

     Strengthen ties with groups of Hong Kong people living in Fujian and associations of Fujian natives in Hong Kong, support and promote relevant organisations to organise more cultural, art and people-to-people exchange activities in the two places, promote cultural exchanges and communication between people in Fujian and Hong Kong, and help the development of a harmonious and inclusive society.

Tourism
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     Support the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism in deepening tourism co-operation in areas along the "Maritime Silk Road", and support the continued co-operation between the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism to promote cross-border cruises route development between the two places.
 
Education
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     Encourage and assist more schools in the two places to form sister schools, improve the quality and quantity of exchanges between sister schools, and organise mutual visits and diversified exchange activities according to their development goals.

     Continue to implement the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions and the Pilot Scheme on the Articulation of Hong Kong Sub-degree Graduates to Huaqiao University; Fujian encourages Fujian higher education institutions to provide financial aid to Hong Kong students from families with financial difficulties.
 
Youth development
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     Led by the Fujian Provincial Youth Federation, liaison and co-operation with Hong Kong youth associations, Fujian natives associations, universities, secondary schools and primary schools will be strengthened, and Hong Kong youth will be invited to Fujian for exchanges and study, thereby increasing Hong Kong youth's understanding of the country.

     Recruit Hong Kong university students and Hong Kong students studying in Fujian universities to carry out training and internship at enterprises and institutions during winter and summer vacations, and organise intern students to carry out study tours in their spare time to increase their understanding of Fujian's job market, social situation and space for personal growth.

Facilitation for Hong Kong people in the Mainland
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     Fujian fully implements the policies and measures introduced by the relevant Central Government departments to facilitate the development of Hong Kong and Macao residents in the Mainland, enable Hong Kong people residing in Fujian to enjoy the same treatment as Mainland residents in terms of education, study, employment, social security and daily life, actively liaise with associations of Hong Kong people in Fujian, understand the needs of Hong Kong people, and facilitate Hong Kong people's study, work, and living in Fujian.

Co-operation documents signing ceremony
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     At the meeting, Mr Chan and Ms Guo signed the "Co-operation Memorandum of the Fourth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference". The document (Chinese only) is at Annex 1.
 
     In addition, three co-operation agreements were signed by government departments and statutory bodies of the two places, namely:
 
• "Agreement on Expanding Cultural Co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong;"
• "Agreement on Education Exchange and Co-operation"; and
• "About the Economic and Trade Co-operation Agreement between Fujian and Hong Kong to Join Hands and Actively Integrate into the 'Dual Cycle' New Development Framework".

     The "Agreement on Expanding Cultural Co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong" and the "Agreement on Education Exchange and Co-operation" (Chinese only) signed by government departments of the two places are at Annexes 2 and 3 respectively.

Attending Officials
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     Officials of the HKSAR Government accompanying the Chief Secretary for Administration to attend the meeting include the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin.

      

     Police today (June 28) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Mong Kok.

     Chan Siu-ping, aged 62, went missing after she left her residence in Lok Kwan Street on June 13 morning. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (June 27).
           
     She is about 1.5 metres tall, 62 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing black leather shoes and carrying an identity card, a mobile phone, an Octopus Card and some cash.
           
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     In an electronic media interview today (June 28), a certain individual delivered unfounded remarks regarding the incidents concerning the construction quality of the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project, charging that "the Government is less willing to implicate MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) to the turbulence in legal proceedings". In response, a Government spokesman solemnly pointed out that the statement was fabricated and irresponsible.
 
     "The law enforcement department must handle every case in a fair, just and impartial manner. Prosecutorial decisions are based on an objective assessment of all admissible evidence and applicable laws, and made strictly in accordance with the Prosecution Code of the Department of Justice. The Police continues to conduct criminal investigations into the incidents concerning the construction quality of the SCL project. According to the established policy, we will not offer any comment on the case at this stage. We reiterate that no one should make groundless conclusion or make untrue, unfair and irresponsible remarks," the Government spokesman said.
 
     As for the remarks hinting that the Government might not further follow up with the incidents concerning the construction quality of the SCL project, the spokesman stressed that they are completely unfounded with malicious intent. The Government must rebuke the remarks and set the record straight. Any act attempting to smear the Government by fabrication will be doomed to fail. 
 
     The Government has been highly concerned with the incidents concerning the construction quality of the SCL project. Multifaceted follow-up actions were launched, including the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project, and the Expert Adviser Team. In this regard, respective final reports have already been released upon completion of the investigation, review and audit. The Government concurs with the recommendations proposed by the Commission and the Expert Adviser Team, and has instructed MTRCL to fully follow up and implement. These recommendations, apart from being implemented in the SCL project, are also applicable to future new railway projects.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) welcomed the Government's announcement today (June 28) of a new batch of recognised medical qualifications by the Special Registration Committee. The HA fully supports the Government's policy, and will continue visits and promotions in different countries and regions to attract more qualified non-locally trained doctors to practice in Hong Kong.
 
     The HA spokesman said, "The HA is energetically adopting different measures to recruit non-locally trained doctors. The recruitment events in the United Kingdom and Australia earlier were successfully held, with more than 150 conditional offers being issued. Recently, more than 50 non-locally trained doctors have been recommended for employment in the selection process and the HA will work closely with the Medical Council of Hong Kong for the registration procedures of non-locally trained doctors, expecting their arrival and service in the HA at the earliest in the second half of this year. The HA will continue the effort to recruit suitable candidates so as to let them serve Hong Kong citizens."
 
     To tackle the rising service demand for the public healthcare sector, the HA will prioritise the recruitment of all suitable medical graduates from local universities, and will also recruit more qualified non-locally trained doctors under special registrations and limited registrations. The HA has set up various online platforms to handle enquires and applications from non-locally trained doctors by a dedicated team.

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out a repatriation operation today (June 28). A total of 33 Vietnamese illegal immigrants were repatriated to Vietnam. The persons removed comprised 15 males and 18 females, of whom 32 are unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants. Among them were discharged prisoners who had committed criminal offences and had been sentenced to imprisonment.
 
     The ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process to repatriate illegal immigrants and overstayers from Hong Kong as soon as practicable through appropriate measures.