Chief Executive John Lee continued his visit to Beijing today by calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Security.

Mr Lee this morning met State Councillor & Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang, who said the MFA will continue to support, guide and assist the city in its diplomatic work related to Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive expressed gratitude to the MFA for its continuous support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's governance in accordance with the law, and the work in safeguarding the successful implementation of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong as well as the city's long-term prosperity and stability.

He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will make good use of its discourse power to oppose any external forces interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs, and object to any smearing and defamatory remarks to the successful implementation of "one country, two systems".

Mr Lee also said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to maintain close contact with the Office of the Commissioner of the MFA in the Hong Kong SAR and dovetail with the MFA's overall strategy to accurately introduce Hong Kong's latest developments to foreign countries and tell the good stories of Hong Kong and "one country, two systems".

The Chief Executive then met Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng to exchange views on promoting education co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Mr Huai said the Ministry of Education is willing to actively support Hong Kong's education development.

While Mr Lee thanked the Ministry of Education for its strong support to the Hong Kong SAR Government's continuous enhancement of education measures, including the guidance and support rendered in the admission of Mainland students to Hong Kong's post-secondary institutions, the implementation of co-operation projects with the Mainland, and the provision of training and exchange visits on the Mainland for Hong Kong teachers and students.

He pointed out that such efforts have helped to boost understanding of the national development for Hong Kong teachers and students and strengthen their sense of national identity.

Hong Kong will continue to align with national strategies in education and talent development and contribute to the high-quality development of the country, Mr Lee added.

In the afternoon, the Chief Executive called on the Ministry of Public Security and met State Councillor & Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong to exchange views on preventing and combatting cross-boundary criminal activities involving drug trafficking, illegal firearms, smuggling of illegal immigrants and triads, and co-operation on enhancing training for disciplined services officers.

Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin also joined relevant meetings.