Chief Executive John Lee today led Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government representatives on a visit to Macau, where they met Macao Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai and toured local infrastructure facilities.

The Hong Kong delegation included Financial Secretary Paul Chan; Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang; Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau; Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan; and Director of Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip.

During in-depth discussions with Mr Sam on Hong Kong-Macau co-operation and the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area, Mr Lee said that establishing the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin demonstrates strategic planning to enrich the “one country, two systems” arrangement, and will benefit Macau’s long-term prosperity and stability, as well as advancing its integration into national development.

Highlighting that Hong Kong and Macau are both special administrative regions that enjoy distinctive advantages under “one country, two systems”, Mr Lee said the two cities enjoy close geographical ties, frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and solid economic and trade relations.

He also stressed that Hong Kong and Macau are both integral parts of the bay area, and will continue to promote its development together.

By upholding the principle of “one country” and leveraging the benefits of “two systems”, Mr Lee said Hong Kong and Macau can achieve complementarity, jointly seize development opportunities, and continue to strengthen co-operation, contributing to the promotion of the bay area's high-quality development.

Mr Lee and the Hong Kong officials also visited the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. They toured the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Experience Center there to learn about the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and cultural tourism, before visiting the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin Planning Exhibition Hall where Mr Lee spoke to local officials about the zone's management, construction, development models and achievements.