Bonds forged with central ministries

March 18, 2023

Chief Executive John Lee concluded his Beijing visit today, saying the support and attention given by the central ministries and institutions is a strong impetus for Hong Kong’s development.
 
In a press release, Mr Lee described the trip as opening a new chapter for effective communication and co-operation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and central ministries and institutions, and paving the way for better and stronger collaboration.
 
Together with Mainland counterparts, departments and bureaus will spare no effort in solving problems, he stressed.
 
Mr Lee said that it was his first time to attend the opening and closing meetings of the National People’s Congress in the capacity of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR. It was also his first visit to Beijing as the Chief Executive since the full resumption of normal travel between the Mainland and Hong Kong, during which he called on 11 central ministries and institutions in seven days.
 
Additionally, noting that this is the first time he led eight directors of bureaus on an official visit, Mr Lee said he believes the trip represented the Hong Kong SAR Government’s respect and gratitude to the central ministries and institutions, his dedication towards enhancing communication and building mutual trust between the Hong Kong SAR Government and the central ministries and institutions, as well as Hong Kong’s proactive approach to integrating into national development.
 
Before departing the capital, Mr Lee met Minister of Justice He Rong.
 
The Chief Executive thanked the Ministry of Justice for its continuous support to the Hong Kong SAR Government’s work, and for deepening exchanges and collaboration between legal professions in the Mainland and Hong Kong. 

 

He made it clear that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to leverage the institutional advantages brought by the city’s common law system and global connections to consolidate its position as an international centre for legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, as set out in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government will also fully support and co-operate with the International Organisation for Mediation Preparatory Office set up in Hong Kong last month, in order to support the country in developing international mediation and nurturing talent in the practice of foreign-related legal affairs, with a view to integrating into the overall national development, he added.
 
Separately, the Chief Executive expressed his gratitude to all central ministries and institutions for their warm hospitality, and to the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council for its strong support and co-ordination of his visit to Beijing.
 
Mr Lee is scheduled to return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

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