Chief Executive John Lee, leading a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation, arrived in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, this afternoon to begin a visit to three Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries - Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Upon arrival in Vientiane, Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Lao People's Democratic Republic Fang Hong.

Mr Lee thanked Ms Fang and the embassy for the support to the Hong Kong SAR Government and the thoughtful visit arrangements as well as for the embassy's continuous care and assistance to Hong Kong people in Laos and Hong Kong enterprises investing there.

Noting that Hong Kong and Laos have good prospects for economic and trade co-operation, the Chief Executive said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to explore room for co-operation and promote cultural exchanges between the two places, and introduce Hong Kong's advantages and development opportunities in Laos and other ASEAN countries, telling Hong Kong's good stories.