Chief Executive John Lee, on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, has signed a sports co-operation agreement with Director of the General Administration of Sport of China Gao Zhidan, Governor of Guangdong Province Meng Fanli, and Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou-fai, to strengthen sports co-operation and promote integrated development.

The agreement was signed in Shenzhen during the 15th National Games.

Its key provisions include strengthening sports exchanges and co-operation between the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau; supporting the integrated development of sports in the Greater Bay Area; and strengthening co-ordination within international organisations such as the Association For International Sport for All and the Asian Sport for All Association.

The agreement will also strengthen co-operation on elite sports, enhance youth sports exchanges and promote co-operation with regard to sports industries. It jointly promotes the spirit of Chinese sports and cultivates Chinese sporting culture, enhances exchanges in sports science and research, strengthens sports governance between the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. It also safeguards the overall interests of the nation and strengthens communication on issues of mutual concern in international sports affairs.

Mr Lee said the four-party agreement carries forward the spirit of unity fostered through the co-hosting of the 15th National Games, and signifies a new stage of co-operation among the three places.

Under the agreement's strategic framework, the Hong Kong SAR Government will capitalise on the distinctive advantages of “one country, two systems” to promote the integrated development of sports in the bay area, he added.

“We will deepen the co-operation in areas such as consolidation of sports resources, joint hosting of sports events, integration of sports industries and nurturing of talents, thereby contributing to the building of China as a leading sporting nation."