Chief Executive John Lee led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation to Singapore today to begin a visit programme to three countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Upon arrival in Singapore, Mr Lee met Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Singapore Sun Haiyan.

Mr Lee expressed gratitude to Ambassador Sun and the embassy for their continuous support to the Hong Kong SAR Government and the thoughtful arrangements for this visit.

He also thanked the embassy for its care for Hong Kong people in Singapore, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to promote business and cultural exchanges between the two places, and tell Hong Kong's good stories in Singapore and other ASEAN countries.

Noting that Hong Kong and Singapore have always maintained close bilateral trade relations, Mr Lee said that Singapore is Hong Kong's fourth largest trading partner and Hong Kong's largest trading partner among the 10 ASEAN countries.

The Chief Executive hoped to strengthen the high-level connection with the Singapore Government through this visit.