Chief Executive John Lee met Singapore’s Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong at Government House today, during which they exchanged views on further strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Singapore.

Welcoming the visiting delegation, Mr Lee said he was pleased to meet the prime minister in Hong Kong, following their attendance at the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in Hainan yesterday.

Mr Lee expressed his support for Mr Wong’s remarks at the conference, noting that both Hong Kong and Singapore actively champion free trade and multilateralism. He added that both sides support international organisations, including the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, while opposing unilateralism and protectionism.

The Chief Executive also highlighted Singapore’s long-standing contribution to Asia’s development and prosperity. He said both sides would continue to deepen co-operation to create more opportunities for the region.

Mr Lee thanked Singapore for its continued support for Hong Kong’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, adding that Hong Kong remains committed to promoting regional co-operation and economic synergy.

Noting the long-standing and frequent exchanges between the two cities, Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong and Singapore continue to learn from each other to enhance public policy quality. This is facilitated through regular civil service exchanges activities, such as the Singapore-Hong Kong Permanent Secretaries Exchange Programme.

The Chief Executive expressed his desire to further broaden and deepen collaboration in trade, tourism, civil service exchanges and people-to-people ties.

Turning to domestic development, he pointed out that the National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports the expedited development of the Northern Metropolis (NM). As a new engine for the city’s future, the NM offers immense economic value and development potential.

The Hong Kong Park at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone commenced operations late last year and is being transformed into an international innovation hub. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is accelerating the development of the NM, with a special focus on the construction of the Hetao Hong Kong Park.

Welcoming Mr Wong’s visit to the park this afternoon, Mr Lee encouraged Singaporean enterprises to establish a presence in both the NM and the Hetao Hong Kong Park. He invited participation in commercial development and innovation and technology, highlighting the vast opportunities and broader scope for collaboration.

Leveraging its unique strengths under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong remains closely connected to the world while enjoying strong support from the motherland. Mr Lee reiterated that the city will actively serve as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”, assisting Singaporean firms in tapping into the Mainland market and creating new avenues for investors and enterprises.

Mr Wong toured the Hong Kong Park in the Loop, in the company of Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong and Acting Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan.

Ms Linn and a representative from the NM Co-ordination Office introduced the project’s overall plan and latest developments, as well as the adoption of multipronged measures to accelerate the development and attract investment.

This was followed by a visit to the wet laboratory buildings at the Hong Kong Park in the Loop, which were officially inaugurated in December last year. Mr Wong received a briefing by Prof Sun on the park’s master plan, industrial layout and progress in attracting enterprises and investment.

Mr Chan said the visit allows the Singaporean Prime Minister and his delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the NM's overall plan and future development, and to learn about potential investment and collaboration opportunities available to the Singaporean business community and enterprises.

The visit also further enhances exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Singapore, Mr Chan added.