The Fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Beijing Co-operation Conference was held in Hong Kong today, during which the governments of the two places reached a consensus on 11 co-operation areas. 

Led by Chief Executive John Lee and Beijing Mayor Yin Yong respectively, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and Beijing government delegations reached a consensus on areas including participating in major national strategies, services industries, innovation and technology, and economy and trade.

Speaking at the plenary, Mr Lee said Beijing is the country’s capital and political centre which also has a profound cultural heritage, while Hong Kong is an open, diverse metropolis that brings together Chinese and Western cultures.

“In the process of promoting high-quality development in the country's new era, Beijing and Hong Kong both have a special status and play an important role. While leveraging their respective strengths, the two places can also complement each other's advantages and create a space for co-operation for achieving common development and mutual benefits.”

At the meeting, Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Beijing Municipal People's Government Vice Mayor Sima Hong signed the Co-operation Memorandum of the Fifth Plenary Session Hong Kong/Beijing Co-operation Conference, with Mr Lee, Mr Yin and Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Deputy Director and Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR Director Zheng Yanxiong as witnesses.

In addition, government departments of the two places also signed four co-operation agreements in respect of the financial industry, education, youth exchange and food safety.