Chief Executive John Lee met Governor of Hubei Province Li Dianxun at Government House today to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hubei and Hong Kong.

Welcoming Mr Li and his delegation to Hong Kong, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong is Hubei Province's largest source of external investment. As of 2025, more than 4,660 Hong Kong-invested projects have been established in the province, reflecting close economic and trade ties between the two places.

Mr Lee emphasised that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong enjoys the unique advantage of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world.

He pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has established the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global to better serve Mainland enterprises, including those from Hubei, in expanding into overseas markets. Hong Kong will continue to play its roles as a "super connector" and a "super value-adder" to work with Hubei for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and contribute to the country's high-quality development.

The Chief Executive highlighted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly supports Hong Kong in developing into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent. The Hong Kong SAR Government is making every effort to formulate Hong Kong's first five-year plan, which will be completed within this year, to better integrate into and serve the country's overall development.

Hubei Province continues to promote the development of I&T and new industrialisation, while Hong Kong is expediting the development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, advancing new industrialisation and the digital economy, and deeply engaging in I&T development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Mr Lee also mentioned there are broad opportunities for co-operation between the two places.

Noting that the Hubei Provincial and Hong Kong governments established the co-operation mechanism in 2021 to promote collaborative development across different areas, particularly in 13 key areas including finance, trade, logistics and technology, he expressed confidence that Hubei and Hong Kong will further deepen co-operation, leverage each other's strengths, and jointly promote high-quality development.

Mr Lee outlined that Hubei Province possesses rich higher education resources and that a good number of Hong Kong students choose to pursue studies there. He thanked the Hubei Provincial Government for its care and support for Hong Kong young people, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to encourage Hong Kong young people to seize the opportunities on the Mainland.

While the Hong Kong SAR Government is accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town and promoting the "Study in Hong Kong" brand, he welcomed more students from Hubei to come to Hong Kong for study and development. Hong Kong will continue to strengthen exchanges and co-operation with Hubei in areas including education and youth development to nurture talent for the country's development.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Janice Tse also attended the meeting.