â€‹The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, visited Guangzhou today (February 22) to meet with leaders of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province (GDHKMAO). She also visited a Hong Kong youth innovation and entrepreneurial base as well as high and new technology enterprises in Nansha.
      
     Upon her arrival in Guangzhou in the morning, Ms Chan called on the Director of GDHKMAO, Ms Chen Li-wen, to discuss the continuous enhancement of co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, with a view to injecting strong impetus into the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
      
     Ms Chan said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has all along attached great importance to GBA development, and has been maintaining close liaison with relevant Central Ministries and Commissions, and working with the governments of Guangdong and Macao in a concerted manner under the principles of complementarity to proactively seek policy innovations and breakthroughs, with a view to promoting a higher level of connectivity and integrated development in the GBA.
      
     The Central Government promulgated the Three-year Action Plan for the Development of International First-class Business Environment in the GBA and the Overall Development Plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone, as well as two important planning documents related to the development of the Guangdong-Macao Zone in Hengqin in December 2023, providing important guidance and support for the steadfast and successful development of the GBA, as well as the better integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the overall development of the country. With the promulgation of these important documents, the HKSAR Government has also promptly communicated with the Guangdong Provincial Government and Shenzhen Municipal Government to jointly explore enhanced collaboration for implementing more policy measures conducive to the development of the country and the GBA which are also beneficial to Hong Kong.
      
     Ms Chan added that the HKSAR Government will continue to lead all sectors of the community to seize the significant opportunities brought about by the development of the country and the GBA, and will fully leverage Hong Kong's dual roles of "super connector" and "super value-adder" between the Mainland and global markets. At the same time, we will strengthen our co-operation with the Guangdong Province in promoting the compatibility and alignment of the rules and mechanisms to higher standards, in a wider range of areas, and to a deeper level, in order to create greater opportunities for residents and enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland cities of the GBA.
      
     In the afternoon, Ms Chan visited Nansha, Guangzhou to learn about the planning and latest development of the Nansha New Area. Ms Chan also visited a youth innovation and entrepreneurial base there, as well as two high and new technology enterprises specialising in artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle technology respectively. She was briefed about the latest developments of the industries by the representatives of the two high and new technology enterprises, and took a test ride on an autonomous vehicle. She welcomed the two enterprises to share their experiences and enhance co-operation with their counterparts in Hong Kong.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Tai Po Hospital (TPH) made the following announcement today (February 22) regarding an incident of a healthcare staff member suspected to be assaulted:

     A staff member from the Department of Psychiatry was suspected to be assaulted this afternoon during a meeting with a patient and the patient's relatives. Ward staff and security staff immediately arrived on the scene to assist, and reported to the Police for assistance. The injured staff member was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for treatment. The staff member's left face was injured and was discharged after treatment. Police arrested a patient at the ward later, who was suspected in connection with the case.

     The hospital is highly concerned about the incident, expressed sympathy and rendered necessary support to the injured staff member. The hospital resolutely adopts a zero-tolerance attitude to any workplace violence and strongly condemns the violent act. The hospital will follow up seriously and fully co-operate with the Police investigation.

     TPH has all along attached great concern to work safety for its staff under prevailing guidelines and measures to prevent workplace violence. The hospital appeals to patients to follow the advice of healthcare workers.

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at a media session today (February 22):
 
Reporter: How would you interpret Director Xia's second visit to Hong Kong in such a short period of time? How would you respond to comments that the second visit may signal concerns from Beijing that the city's governance and economy is not doing as well as it should? And secondly, did Director Xia give any guidance or advice on the upcoming Budget, and did he give any key performance indicators for the Government concerning the economy? Thank you.
 
Financial Secretary: We warmly welcome the visit by Director Xia (the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong) to Hong Kong. His visit that lasts for seven days would cover such areas as Hong Kong's economic development and district administration. Under the leadership of the Chief Executive, along with the Deputy Financial Secretary and six other Policy Secretaries, we reported to Director Xia about the economic and financial situation in Hong Kong; our development in innovation and technology and commerce; as well as work related to land and housing supply. We had very good exchange of views. He understands the situation of Hong Kong very well. During the discussion, he encouraged us to continue with our good work. He is confident with this Government and appreciates our work. Going forward, the whole team in the Government will continue to work hard to develop our economy. In the process, we will make good use of the various policy support measures from the Central Authorities.
    
     As to your question about the possible measures that benefit Hong Kong, I think if there are any such measures, they would be announced at the appropriate time. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

  

     The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, arrived in Hong Kong today (February 22) for his seven-day inspection visit.
 
     Upon his arrival at Hong Kong International Airport in the morning, Mr Xia visited the Integrated Airport Centre at the airport in the company of the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; and the Chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), Mr Jack So. During the visit, Mr Xia was updated by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and the Chief Executive Officer of the AAHK, Mr Fred Lam, on the developments of the aviation industry and the latest situation of Hong Kong's development as an international aviation and cargo hub. He also inspected the operation of autonomous vehicles at the airport.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Xia had an engagement session with Principal Officials and Permanent Secretaries of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government led by Mr Lee.
 
     Mr Xia later had another engagement session to exchange views with key HKSAR government officials overseeing the finances. Led by Mr Lee, those who attended the session were the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; and the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong.
 
     Mr Xia will continue his inspection visit tomorrow (February 23).

        

     Following is the speech by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Kuwait National Day Reception today (February 22):
 
Your Excellency Ambassador Naser S Al-Ghanim (Consul General of the State of Kuwait in Hong Kong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good evening. I am pleased to be here with you tonight in honour of the 63rd National Day of the State of Kuwait.
 
     I am particularly delighted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the State of Kuwait and Hong Kong.
 
     Kuwait was the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with China and the first country in the Middle East to sign a Belt and Road co-operation agreement with China. These and other bilateral initiatives provide a strong foundation for mutually rewarding relations between China-Kuwait, and Hong Kong-Kuwait.
 
     President Xi Jinping has met twice, most recently at the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, with the current Amir, His Highness Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
 
     As President Xi said at the Asian Games, "China is ready to work with Kuwait to take these bilateral ties to new heights."
 
     So it was heartening to hear the Consul General, just a few minutes ago, say that under the new Amir's leadership, the Kuwaiti government has stressed its commitment to developing bilateral relations with Hong Kong – indeed, to "elevating them to higher levels to cover all areas and sectors."
 
     Hong Kong places great importance on our relations with Kuwait and the Middle East. That's why we established a Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in the Middle East in October 2021. Its mandate is to strengthen ties with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Kuwait.
 
     Since the ETO's establishment, we are seeing more frequent, mutual visits by senior government officials and corporate leaders.
 
     In April this year, the Secretary-General of the GCC, His Excellency Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, a Kuwaiti national, is also scheduled to visit Hong Kong.
 
     Last May, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union put together a delegation to visit Kuwait, along with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. That visit was realised with tremendous assistance rendered by the Consulate. And it resulted in an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chinese General Chamber.
 
     Hong Kong values its trade ties with Kuwait. In 2022, bilateral trade exceeded US$200 million, up nearly 15 per cent, year on year, and that is in spite of the pandemic.  

     We welcome more Kuwaiti entrepreneurs and companies to make use of Hong Kong's singular strengths and strategic advantages. Through Hong Kong, you can tap into unprecedented business and investment opportunities. They include such national development strategies as the Belt and Road Initiative, to which Kuwait is a signatory, and the Greater Bay Area, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this month. 
 
     As the Consul General noted, we are working to finalise two MOUs, as well as the formation of a joint committee. The committee will investigate how best to expand our good and growing bilateral ties.
 
     Its efforts will, I hope, include culture. As you know, Hong Kong is dedicated to rising as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, with the full support of our nation.
 
     And your Consulate is a strong proponent of cultural exchanges between our two economies. Last November, at the inaugural edition of the Asia+ Festival, the Consulate showcased Kuwait's remarkable culture and traditions at its pavilion, alongside 20 other countries. We look forward to more artistic co-operation between our two cultures, and our two peoples, in the coming months and years.
 
     Education, too, is an area of clear promise, as today's honouring of 11 Kuwaiti students, in just a few minutes, underlines. The students are working on their post-graduate degrees in dentistry at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), thanks to scholarships from the Kuwait Ministry of Health.
 
     The Ministry selected HKU for the students because of its international reputation in dentistry – and, I hasten to add, a good many other things, too. Thank you.
 
     Allow me now to propose a toast: To the people of the State of Kuwait on its proud national day.
 
     Cheers!