CE starts visit to Beijing (with photos/videos)
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (July 26) started her visit to Beijing, where she met with leaders of different organisations and attended the closing ceremony of a youth internship programme.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Mrs Lam met with the Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Professor Wan Gang, in the morning. She expressed her gratitude to Professor Wan for his staunch support and encouragement over the years on co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in innovation and technology (I&T). In particular, with the personal concern and instruction by President Xi Jinping earlier, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance announced a new policy allowing universities and research institutions in Hong Kong to apply for funding to undertake central fiscal science and technology projects and the use of the funding in Hong Kong. Mrs Lam thanked Professor Wan for the extensive work he did during his tenure as the Minister of Science and Technology of the Central People's Government, realising the cross-boundary remittance of science and technology project funding. Noting that CAST has gathered top science and technology talents across the country, Mrs Lam expressed the hope that Professor Wan and CAST would continue to support Hong Kong for the city's sustainable development in I&T. Established in 1958 as an organisation for science and technology practitioners in the country, CAST acts as a bridge between the government and practitioners and plays an important role in advancing the country's development in science and technology.
Later, accompanied by Mr Nip and Mr Chan, Mrs Lam met with the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Mr Jin Liqun, and attended a lunch hosted by him. Mrs Lam congratulated the AIIB for its achievements since its establishment in 2016, including receiving the highest credit ratings accorded by various rating agencies and the successful hosting of the third Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the AIIB in Mumbai, India, this June. Noting that Hong Kong as a member looks forward to contributing to the AIIB, she said that funding approval by the Legislative Council has been sought to contribute US$10 million to the AIIB Project Preparation Special Fund for supporting low-income countries. She added that Hong Kong will share its experience in areas including risk management and city management for capacity building in those countries. Mrs Lam also invited Mr Jin to visit Hong Kong, including attending next year's Asian Financial Forum with the theme of inclusive and sustainable development to share his insights with the other participants.
After the lunch, Mrs Lam, together with the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, as well as Mr Yang, Mr Nip and Mr Chan, attended the closing ceremony of the Youth Internship Programme at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). She also exchanged views with the participating youths and visited the Institute of Automation of the CAS after the ceremony. The programme was organised by the Home Affairs Bureau. During the six-week internship, the 22 participating tertiary students from Hong Kong conducted different kinds of science and technology research with top science researchers of the country in the Institute of Automation, the Institute of Computing Technology and the Institute of Software in the CAS. Addressing the ceremony, Mrs Lam thanked the CAS for its support, making the programme a great success. She also expressed the hope that the internship programme would continue to be held for Hong Kong youths next year, enabling young people in Hong Kong who are keen to develop in scientific research to benefit from the precious experience.
Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Beijing tomorrow (July 27).
