Chief Executive John Lee will tomorrow lead a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation to Shanghai, where he will attend the sixth China International Import Expo.

The delegation will include Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip and Under Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Clement Woo.

This is the first time that a Hong Kong-themed seminar, namely “Channelling Global Business through Hong Kong”, will be hosted at the expo.

On November 5, Mr Lee will attend the expo’s opening ceremony and visit the booths of Hong Kong enterprises in a dedicated exhibition area to show his support.

In addition, he will deliver a speech at the Hong Kong-themed seminar and another at the “Invest in China Year” summit, which forms part of the expo’s Hongqiao International Economic Forum. He will use both events to promote to Mainland and overseas enterprises Hong Kong’s important role as a connector between the nation and other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, Mr Chan will deliver a speech at a seminar titled “Revitalizing Real Economy with Financial Resources”, also part of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, to promote Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre.

Mr Lee said Hong Kong is fully supportive of the expo. In addition to the senior Government officials attending, a number of business leaders will participate in a seminary outlining Hong Kong’s unique strengths on various fronts under “one country, two systems”.

The Chief Executive said the expo is a significant move by the country to actively open the Mainland market to the world, stressing that there are vast business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises to tap into the domestic market.

He added that the expo has clearly excited the city’s business community, with a record high of more than 300 Hong Kong enterprises taking part this year.

During his visit to Shanghai, Mr Lee will meet leaders of the Shanghai Municipal Government. He will also exchange views with Hong Kong people living, working and studying there.

Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on November 6. During his absence, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will be Acting Chief Executive.

Furthermore, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong will be Acting Financial Secretary during Mr Chan’s absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will stand in as Acting Secretary for Mr Yau, and Under Secretary for Education Sze Chun-fai will be Acting Secretary during the absence of Ms Choi.