CS begins visit to Hangzhou (with photos/video)

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, began his visit to Hangzhou this afternoon (August 12) to foster exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang, and between Hong Kong and Hangzhou, in various aspects.
      
     Mr Chan attended a welcome dinner for the Hangzhou study tour under the Strive and Rise Programme. On behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he expressed gratitude to the Hangzhou Municipal Government for its strong support and co-ordination for the study tour. The tour is sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and co-organised by the Hong Kong Children & Youth Services, enabling more than 80 mentees to have exchanges in Hangzhou.
      
     Addressing the dinner, Mr Chan thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club for serving as Vice-chairperson of the Partners’ Board under the Strive and Rise Programme with contributions and commitments continuously made. Such contributions include provision of funding support for the programme’s implementation, nomination of staff to serve as mentors, and arrangements of distinctive group activities for mentees to broaden their horizons and enrich their knowledge.
      
     Mr Chan added that Hong Kong athletes have excelled with their outstanding performances at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and the Paris Olympic Games this year. He was pleased to learn that Olympic-gold medal-winning Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong has joined the Hangzhou study tour to share with mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme her endeavours and success stories.
      
     Mr Chan encouraged mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme to learn the Hong Kong spirit – the “strive-and-rise” and “never-give-up” spirit – of Hong Kong athletes, uphold positive thinking and endeavour to achieve their goals. He expressed his confidence that the mentees will give full play to their strengths and achieve their dreams.
      
     Mr Chan will continue his visit to Hangzhou tomorrow (August 13). He will meet with leaders of Zhejiang and Hangzhou, as well as Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises there, to discuss issues of mutual concern and strengthen exchanges and co-operation in various aspects.