Chief Executive John Lee today continued his visit to Beijing, where he called on the Ministry of Science & Technology, the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) and the Ministry of Commerce to exchange views with the respective leaders.

Mr Lee met Minister of Science & Technology Wang Zhigang this morning and witnessed the Signing Ceremony of the Arrangement between the Mainland & Hong Kong on Expediting the Development of Hong Kong into an International Innovation & Technology Centre.

The Chief Executive thanked the country for its strong support for the city's development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, noting that the signing of the arrangement marks a new chapter for science and technology co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will spare no effort in attracting strategic industries and scientific research talent as well as promoting I&T education, with a view to contributing to Hong Kong's advancement into an international I&T hub.

Mr Lee then called on the Ministry of Culture & Tourism where he met Minister of Culture & Tourism Hu Heping, saying that the Hong Kong SAR Government has set out specific strategies for the implementation of the National 14th Five-Year Plan to support Hong Kong's positioning as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

Hong Kong will make use of its institutional advantages under "one country, two systems" to fully leverage its close connections with the world as well as its compatibility and integration of Eastern and Western culture, and contribute to the strengthening of the country’s international communication capacity, promoting Chinese culture, and telling the good stories of China and Hong Kong, he added.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee called on Minister of the GAC Yu Jianhua where he thanked the GAC for its strong support and co-ordination in the smooth implementation of the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, making great contributions to the normal flow of people between the two places and their economic recovery.

The Chief Executive pointed out that Hong Kong Customs had shown full support to the Smart Customs, Smart Borders & Smart Connectivity (3S) Initiative, with smart construction as the core as launched by the GAC, and will begin co-operation with the GAC, promoting cross-boundary collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong Customs and enhancing connectivity.

Mr Lee and Mr Yu also exchanged views on co-operation issues, including combating cross-boundary smuggling activities and risk management.

The Chief Executive then paid a visit to Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.

Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government formally lodged the accession request for joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) last year and received enthusiastic support from the Ministry of Commerce.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to seek to start negotiations and discussions with the RCEP member economies early and strive to forge a consensus among all sectors and places on supporting Hong Kong to join the RCEP, he added.

Mr Lee also pointed out that Hong Kong will continue to actively dovetail with the Ministry of Commerce's move in building a single free trade zone between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, and advancing trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will actively echo and co-operate with the Ministry of Commerce in its goal of promoting consumption and inward investment, and jointly inject new impetus into the country's trade development.

Mr Lee also said he looked forward to leading a delegation to Shanghai to attend the Sixth China International Import Expo in November.

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau and Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong also joined relevant meetings.