Chief Executive John Lee toured the athletes’ village of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou and met Hong Kong athletes there as he began a four-day visit to Hangzhou in Zhejiang.

While leading a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation, Mr Lee met Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Zhejiang upon his arrival in Hangzhou this morning.

He made it clear that Hong Kong people and enterprises in Zhejiang serve as an essential bridge between the two places that enjoy a close relationship in business and people-to-people cultural exchanges.

Mr Lee added that the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Zhejiang Liaison Unit will continue to actively promote exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhejiang and support the development of Hong Kong people and enterprises there.

In the afternoon, the Chief Executive visited the athletes’ village of the Asian Games to tour the facilities and meet Hong Kong athletes to see how their preparations are going.

He also cheered for them and encouraged the athletes to give it their all and win honour for Hong Kong.

Later in the day, Mr Lee attended the launch ceremony of an exchange programme for youths in Hangzhou and Hong Kong.

While addressing those gathered at the ceremony, Mr Lee encouraged Hong Kong youths currently on exchange in Hangzhou to make the best of this rare opportunity to observe and experience, from diverse perspectives, the building of China into a country strong in sports, and the advancement of major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

He also urged them to act as ambassadors for Hong Kong youths, share Hong Kong’s good stories and promote Chinese culture to athletes, spectators and volunteers from around the world.

Mr Lee will attend the Asian Games opening ceremony tomorrow.