CS begins visit to Harbin (with photos/video)

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, began his visit to Harbin yesterday (August 30) to meet with the Secretary of the CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee, Mr Xu Qin. Mr Chan introduced the latest situation in Hong Kong and exchanged views on promoting and deepening co-operation and exchanges between Hong Kong and Heilongjiang. He noted that the two places have maintained close relations with strong ties and frequent exchanges in economic and trade, culture and arts, and many more areas. Hong Kong benefits from the unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. Under key national strategies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the two places can realise deeper collaboration and achieve complementarity and mutual benefits, contributing together to the high-quality development of the country.

     Mr Chan visited the Harbin Planning Exhibition Hall this morning (August 31) to learn about the latest situation of the local economic development, city development and social planning. Later, he met with the Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province (HLJHKMAO), Mr Wu Wenge. He thanked the HLJHKMAO for their staunch support and assistance, which have facilitated exchanges and co-operation between Heilongjiang Province and Hong Kong in various areas. They also had an in-depth discussion on the updates and development directions of Hong Kong and various cities in Heilongjiang. Mr Chan then visited the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army, which is one of the first batch 100 demonstration bases for patriotic education in the country. The Exhibition Hall displays the crimes of the Unit 731 through physical objects, pictures, archives, multi-media information, etc, which not only serves as witnesses to history, but also as an important venue for patriotic education.

     In the evening, Mr Chan attended the welcome dinner of the 2024 China Industrial Transfer and Development Matchmaking Activities (Heilongjiang) and introduced to local enterprises the latest developments and unique advantages of Hong Kong. He also encouraged them to leverage Hong Kong as a bridge between domestic and overseas enterprises to do business and invest in Hong Kong, and to explore further co-operation with Hong Kong to open up broader prospects in the course of continuous upgrading and transformation.
      
     Mr Chan will continue his visit to Harbin tomorrow (September 1), which includes meetings with leaders of Heilongjiang Province and Harbin City to discuss issues of mutual concern and strengthen exchanges and co-operation in various areas.