Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn toured the department of the Palace Museum undertaking the conservation of cultural relics on the second day of her visit to Beijing today.

Accompanied by Director of Art Exhibitions China Tan Ping, Ms Linn toured the museum’s Department of Conservation & Restoration to ascertain the restoration of the relics including calligraphy and paintings, woodenware, lacquerware, clocks and watches.

She then had lunch with Deputy Administrator of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Sun Deli to discuss co-operation on conservation and promotion of cultural relics between the Mainland and Hong Kong. She also visited the Capital Museum to gain insights into the rich history of Beijing's urban development.

Ms Linn also held a working meeting with Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of International Cooperation of the State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of the State Council Xie Hui.

She gave Mr Xie an update on the development of the Northern Metropolis, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's work on land planning and development, infrastructure, market participation and industry introduction.

Ms Linn said the Northern Metropolis will become the new engine for Hong Kong's economic development and a platform for co-operation in the Greater Bay Area, providing numerous investment opportunities for Mainland enterprises, including state-owned enterprises.

Mainland enterprises are welcome to invest in the Northern Metropolis to promote the economic co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as the development of the region, she added.

The development chief also called on the Ministry of Water Resources to discuss with its Vice Minister Liu Dongshun the bilateral co-operation on water management as well as comprehensive water resources management, flood prevention and emergency response.

Ms Linn expressed gratitude to the country for providing a reliable and stable supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong in the past 60 years, supporting the sustainable economic development of the city and furnishing its citizens with a better living environment.

Looking ahead, she said the Development Bureau and the Ministry of Water Resources will enhance collaboration to jointly safeguard water resources for the contribution to high-quality development of Hong Kong and the bay area.