On day two of his visit to Beijing, Chief Executive John Lee met the heads of higher education institutions in the capital and exchanged views with Hong Kong youths studying there.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee met CPC Tsinghua University Committee Secretary Prof Qiu Yong to discuss issues of mutual concern.

The Chief Executive noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM) and has reserved about 90 hectares of land for developing the NM University Town.

He welcomed Tsinghua University to bring its advanced disciplines and academic programmes to the NM University Town to achieve collaborative development.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to actively foster closer co-operation between higher education institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Mr Lee also said he looks forward to seeing Tsinghua University and higher education institutions in Hong Kong deepen their collaboration under the Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance, further enabling the two places' higher education institutions to complement each other's strengths in talent cultivation and scientific research.

Afterwards, the Chief Executive attended a seminar for Hong Kong students studying in Beijing organised by the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities, where he exchanged views with the students to better understand their learnings and daily life.

Addressing the event, he encouraged the young people from Hong Kong to make the best use of their study opportunities in Beijing to gain an in-depth understanding of the country's history and latest developments.

Mr Lee also urged them to leverage their strengths and tell the good stories of Hong Kong, to contribute their youthful power to build a great country and achieve national rejuvenation.

In the evening, he attended a dinner with the heads of a number of higher education institutions in Beijing which are included in the aggregate list of eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme.

During the dinner, they exchanged views on issues such as the National 15th Five-Year Plan, the NM University Town and innovation and technology development.

Noting that the Hong Kong SAR Government has set up the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong to take forward the promotion of the "Study in Hong Kong" brand to attract top-notch students globally, Mr Lee said he looks forward to seeing more Mainland students and exchange students coming to pursue studies in Hong Kong.