LegCo joint-Panel concludes duty visit in Yangtze River Delta Region (with photos)

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Commerce and Industry, Panel on Financial Affairs, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting concluded the four-day joint-Panel duty visit to the major cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) Region today (April 24) and returned to Hong Kong at night.

     In the morning, the delegation visited the Headquarters of the Alibaba Group.  Guided by members of the Group's senior management, Members toured the exhibition hall and observed demonstrations of the operation of virtual reality shopping and Internet-based ticketing system.  Members took the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the latest technology of e-commerce. 

     The delegation was also briefed on the Hangzhou "City Brain" system jointly developed by the Hangzhou Municipal Government and the Alibaba Cloud, a subsidiary company under the Alibaba Group.  Members learnt that the system is an artificial intelligence platform analyzing data such as pedestrian flow, traffic flow and road condition so as to achieve real-time adjustment of road traffic as well as alleviate traffic congestion in the city. Members also met with the Executive Chairman of the Alibaba Group, Mr Jack Ma, and members of the senior management to exchange views on data analysis and development of innovation and technology.

     The delegation then attended a luncheon meeting with groups of Hong Kong people living in Zhejiang Province to learn about their everyday lives and work.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Hangzhou National High-Tech Industries Development Zone and  received a briefing on the latest development of high-tech industries in Hangzhou, including the application of internet technology to healthcare services as well as policies of nurturing high-tech enterprises.  Afterwards, the delegation visited the Hangzhou LHD New Energy Technology Co. Ltd. to learn about the use of tidal energy to generate electricity.

     Before departing for Hong Kong, the delegation visited the WeDoctor Group.  Members received a briefing by a representative of the Group on the healthcare services supported by internet and observed a demonstration of online medical consultation.  Members also took the chance to further understand the Group's services and research on Chinese medicine.

     In summing up the trip, the LegCo President and the delegation leader, Mr Andrew Leung said that the visit programme is substantial and the result is significant.  He said, "Having visited over ten places in Shanghai and Hangzhou, we observed the latest developments of the two cities in areas such as innovation and technology, economy and finance, as well as creative and cultural industries.  Also, we met with officials of the Zhejiang Provincial Government and the Shanghai Municipal Government as well as attended a seminar on integrated development of YRD Region. The visit has enhanced Members' understanding of the recent developments of the economic belt of YRD Region."

     The President added that the developments of the economic belt of YRD Region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area bring about opportunities to Hong Kong. The duty visit facilitates Members to plan for the future development of Hong Kong.  On behalf of the delegation, the President expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR, the Zhejiang Provincial Government, the Shanghai Municipal Government and the HKSAR Government for their assistance that made the duty visit concluded smoothly.

     The LegCo Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Commerce and Industry, Panel on Financial Affairs, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting conducted a four-day joint-Panel duty visit to two major cities in YRD Region, namely Shanghai and Hangzhou, from April 21 to 24.  Led by the President, a total of 22 Members participated in the visit.  Deputy delegation leaders are the Chairman of Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Yiu Si-wing; the Chairman of Panel on Financial Affairs, Mr Christopher Cheung; the Chairman of Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Dr Elizabeth Quat; and the Chairman of Panel on Economic Development, Mr Chung Kwok-pan. Other participating Panel members include Mr Jeffrey Lam, Mr Chan Kin-por, Mr Wong Kwok-kin, Ms Alice Mak, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Jimmy Ng, Dr Junius Ho, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Luk Chung-hung and Mr Lau Kwok-fan as well as non-Panel members Dr Priscilla Leung, Mr Leung Che-cheung, Mr Kwok Wai-keung, Mr Ho Kai-ming, Mr Kenneth Lau and Mr Tony Tse.

     At the invitation of the joint-Panel delegation, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau; and the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, also joined the visit.