The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, attended the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) 20th anniversary gala dinner in Chengdu, Sichuan Province today (June 11). The event marked the beginning of a series of events in Chengdu in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
During the visit, Mr Tam met with the Vice Governor of the Sichuan Provincial Government, Mr Zhu Hexin, and exchanged views with him on stepping up exchanges and co-operation between the two places. He also met with Hong Kong people and businessmen in Sichuan to understand more about their business and life in the Mainland.
Speaking at the gala dinner, Mr Tam said that in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, Sichuan was situated at the intersection of the land and maritime silk roads. With its excellent geographical location, Sichuan was strategically positioned as an important transportation hub connecting the southwest and northwest regions of the country, and linking up Central, South and Southeast Asia.
Mr Tam said that Hong Kong possessed the dual advantages of "one country" and "two systems" and was highly internationalised with a sound legal system and outstanding professional talents. Hong Kong could provide services for the restructuring of Sichuan and acted as an effective platform for the province to go global and attract foreign investments.
Besides, Hong Kong and Sichuan have been maintaining close economic and trade relations. Hong Kong has all along ranked the first among all countries and regions investing in Sichuan in terms of number of projects, contract amount and foreign investment in actual use.
Mr Tam hoped that, under the "one country, two systems" principle, both Hong Kong and Sichuan could continue to give full play to their respective strengths, and by jointly participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, open up more business opportunities for both places.
Mr Tam said that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu of the HKSAR Government had been committed to promoting in-depth exchanges between Hong Kong and Sichuan in a wide range of areas including economic and trade, culture, etc.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. To commemorate this occasion, the Mainland Offices of the HKSAR Government will organise over 100 celebration activities in various Mainland provinces and municipalities. With respect to Chengdu, apart from this gala dinner, a large-scale exhibition, classical music concerts and so on will be held later this year.
Other officiating guests at the HKSAR 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner included the Vice Governor of the Sichuan Provincial Government, Mr Zhu Hexin; the Deputy Secretary-General of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Mr Zhao Weiping, the Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Mr Mu Xinhai; and the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu of the HKSAR Government, Miss Pamela Lam.
After the gala dinner, Mr Tam will attend the "China Tour 2017" concert by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR with Hong Kong people in Sichuan and the Sichuan community. Mr Tam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning.
Ends/Sunday, June 11, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:10
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The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, today (June 11) visited Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Picture shows Mr Tam (second right) meeting with Hong Kong people doing business and working in Chengdu.
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam (left), meets with the Vice Governor of the Sichuan Provincial Government, Mr Zhu Hexin, in Chengdu today (June 11).
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, speaks at the gala dinner in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu today (June 11).
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam (third right), and the Vice Governor of Sichuan Provincial Government, Mr Zhu Hexin (third left), toasting at the gala dinner in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (June 11). Also present are the Director of Chengdu Economic and Trade Office of the HKSAR Government, Miss Pamela Lam (second right); the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Joanne Chu (first right); the Deputy Secretary-General of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Mr Zhao Weiping (second left); and the Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Mr Mu Xinhai (first left).
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