A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation led by Financial Secretary Paul Chan today concluded a three-day visit to Beijing and Hebei.

In the morning, the delegation visited the Xiong'an Urban Computing (Supercomputing Cloud) Center to learn about how the Xiong'an New Area is using digitalisation to enhance urban development and management.

They then toured the Zhongguancun Science Park in Xiong'an, where they were briefed on the park's overall planning and development, as well as its operational management and investment promotion strategies, and the enterprises located there.

The delegation was also invited to attend a seminar, as which Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Qifang delivered some remarks. The seminar was hosted by Party Leadership Group member and Vice-Governor of the People's Government of Hebei Province Zhao Dachun.

At the seminar, Mr Chan and other delegation members shared observations and insights from their visits to the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and the Xiong'an New Area.

They discussed how Hong Kong can draw inspiration from the integration of above-ground and underground spatial planning, and the alignment of spatial and industrial layouts, and from various industry development policies, investment incentives, smart city initiatives, and innovative institutional mechanisms, in order to accelerate the development of Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis.

Mr Chan remarked that under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong's international advantages, including its capital, talent and professional services, can offer the industries and enterprises of both the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and the Xiong'an New Area strong support as they expand globally.

He added that there is great potential for mutual learning, exchange and collaborative development in areas such as finance, innovation and technology, trade and urban management.

In the afternoon, CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong met Mr Chan and other delegation officials in Beijing.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui; Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau; Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn; Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho; and Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong also attended the meeting.

The delegation's principal officials will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.