Chief Executive John Lee today continued a visit to Fujian, where he met elderly Hongkongers who have retired there, toured a thematic exhibition on Fuzhou's development, and called on new energy and technology enterprises.

In the morning, in Fuzhou, Mr Lee met elderly Hongkongers who have moved to Fujian to learn about their living conditions.

He highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government provides support for cross-boundary elderly care. Among various measures, the Fujian Scheme provides a monthly cash allowance to eligible Hong Kong residents who have moved to Fujian.

Mr Lee said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to enact cross-boundary elderly care measures, providing greater convenience for Hong Kong elderly persons who choose to retire on the Mainland.

Afterwards, he visited the “30th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition” for the “3820” Strategic Project, which showcases Fuzhou's achievements in urban planning and socio-economic development.

The “3820” Strategic Project originates from Fuzhou’s 20-Year Economic and Social Development Strategic Vision, formulated in 1992 under the stewardship of President Xi Jinping when he was Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee. Taking three years, eight years, and 20 years as key milestones, the blueprint mapped out Fuzhou’s development.

Mr Lee remarked that the strategic vision mapped out Fuzhou’s socio-economic development goals, key steps and areas of focus, demonstrating a forward-looking and inspirational approach that has guided Fuzhou’s reform and opening up, and modernisation. 

He added that the Hong Kong SAR Government is pressing ahead at full speed with the preparation of Hong Kong’s own first Five-Year Plan, and that the city will seize on major opportunities brought by the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Mr Lee later arrived in Ningde City and met CPC Ningde Municipal Committee Secretary Zhang Yongning to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

In the afternoon, Mr Lee visited a new energy technology enterprise. The firm’s listing in Hong Kong last year was the world's largest initial public offering at the time.

Mr Lee said that the company’s decision to list in Hong Kong and to establish its research and development institute in the city reflects Hong Kong’s dual advantages as an international financial hub and an innovation and technology hub.

He also visited a national-level "little giant" enterprise that focuses on automation in areas such as new energy and construction machinery.

Mr Lee commented that Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the world’s top 100, and eight universities ranked among Asia’s top 100, bringing together scientific research experts and teams from around the world. Leveraging the innovation strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he said, Hong Kong is striving to develop as an international innovation and technology centre and to accelerate the realisation of the Northern Metropolis (NM).

Mr Lee invited more Fujian enterprises to establish a presence in the NM, leverage Hong Kong’s advantages, and bring in frontier high-tech technologies and talent to the city.

In the evening, Mr Lee met and exchanged views with CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee Secretary Guo Ningning and Fuzhou Mayor Wu Xiande in Fuzhou. Mr Lee then returned to Hong Kong.