Chief Executive John Lee met and exchanged views with leaders of Hainan Province and Haikou in Hainan today and visited a local high-tech enterprise and infrastructure facilities there.

In the morning, Mr Lee met CPC Hainan Provincial Committee Secretary Feng Fei, and Governor of Hainan Province Liu Xiaoming to exchange views on further strengthening Hong Kong's co-operation with Hainan.

Mr Lee noted that more than 790 Hong Kong enterprises were newly established in Hainan last year, and investment from Hong Kong in the province surpassed RMB18 billion, representing an increase of over 20% year on year.

This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Noting that the full implementation of the island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port contributes to the country's efforts in fostering a new development landscape, Mr Lee said the scope for co-operation between Hainan and Hong Kong, both free trade ports, is set to be enhanced.

He later visited a high-tech enterprise in Haikou and was briefed by its representatives on the latest developments and opportunities in its innovative and advanced technologies.

Mr Lee pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to the development of innovation and technology and emerging industries, and welcomes more enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

He also attended a luncheon hosted by Standing Committee Member of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee and CPC Haikou Municipal Committee Secretary Fan Shaojun.

Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, and he looked forward to deepening co-operation with Haikou in advancing high-quality development.

The Chief Executive then visited the centralised inspection site of the Xinhaigang and Nangang "Second-Line Port" in Haikou to learn more about the infrastructure of the Hainan Free Trade Port and its customs operations.

The centralised inspection site is the core infrastructure facility supporting the Hainan Free Trade Port's special customs operations. Built in accordance with national standards for water transport, it is the country's first centralised inspection facility jointly used by two ports, showcasing Hainan's innovative practices in advancing the development of the free trade port.

Mr Lee expressed confidence that Hong Kong, as a free port, and the Hainan Free Trade Port would complement each other's strengths and achieve mutual benefits in port and maritime development.

In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner hosted by the organiser of the Boao Forum for Asia and the Hainan Provincial People's Government.