Financial Secretary Paul Chan today visited central ministries in Beijing and witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding on deepening economic and trade co-operations between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

In the morning, Mr Chan called on the China Securities Regulatory Commission and met its Chairman Wu Qing. They exchanged views in detail on strengthening collaboration in securities market regulation and development, as well as further deepening mutual market access between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

In the afternoon meeting with Assistant Minister of Commerce Yuan Xiaoming, Mr Chan discussed with Mr Yuan the further deepening of economic and trade co-operation.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau, who joined the meeting, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Director-General of the MOC’s Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Sun Yi.

Mr Yau also signed another MOU with Director-General of the MOC’s Department of Pilot Free Trade Zone & Free Trade Port He Yongqian.

The two MOUs were signed in accordance with the mechanism of the Mainland & Hong Kong Economic & Trade Co-operation Committee. Mr Chan and Mr Yuan witnessed the ceremony.

Through the signing of these MOUs, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the MOC will further strengthen exchanges and co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in key economic and trade areas, and deepen the alignment of Mainland's pilot free trade zones and free trade port with Hong Kong, respectively.

The MOUs also serve to fully leverage the respective advantages of the two places, jointly serving the country’s high-level opening-up, as well as bringing economic and trade co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong to new heights.

Mr Chan thanked the MOC for its continuous strong support for the Hong Kong SAR Government’s efforts to promote Hong Kong’s economic and trade development.

Mr Chan said the Hong Kong SAR Government will leverage the advantages of Hong Kong’s internationalised business environment, professional services system and global resources network, to further give full play to the city’s dual roles as a “super connector" and a ‘super value-adder”.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will also enhance the city’s competitiveness and international influence, consolidate its status as an international trade centre, while contributing to the country’s high-quality economic development, he added.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan also visited an artificial intelligence company and met its senior management.