Chief Executive John Lee today met CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee Secretary Chen Yong to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Zhuhai.

Mr Chen is also CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee Hengqin Working Committee Secretary.

Welcoming Mr Chen and his delegation to Hong Kong, the Chief Executive said that following the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), Zhuhai is the only Mainland city connected by land to both Hong Kong and Macau.

Mr Lee stressed that implementation of the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes has strengthened the two-way flow of people between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and of people and goods within the Greater Bay Area.

As a core city in the bay area, Hong Kong will continue to work closely with Zhuhai to harness opportunities presented by the HZMB to and promoted the bay area’s high-quality development.

Mr Lee also mentioned that Hong Kong International Airport and Zhuhai Airport have been co-operating closely, with notable results.

He added that through enhancing the Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong direct passenger service and jointly developing the international air-cargo business, the two places have enhanced the competitiveness of both airports and synergised their combined advantages.

Mr Lee said this serves as a testament to the complementarity and mutual benefits achieved between the two cities.

The Chief Executive also highlighted that Hong Kong will continue to leverage its dual advantages of enjoying both national and global opportunities, and will further strengthen collaboration between the two airports to establish a world-class airport cluster in the bay area.

He underlined that Hong Kong and Zhuhai are linked by geographical ties, share the same roots, and enjoy frequent exchanges in areas such as trade, investment, transport and aviation.

He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, aiming to better integrate into and serve the country’s overall development and fulfil Hong Kong’s mission of “bringing in and going global”.

He urged Zhuhai enterprises to make good use of Hong Kong as a springboard to explore overseas markets, collaborate in pursuing development, and jointly seize the opportunities arising from national development.