FS MEETS BEIJING OFFICIALS

Financial Secretary Paul Chan continued his visit to Beijing today by meeting officials from various Mainland authorities.

This morning, Mr Chan called on State Taxation Administration Commissioner Wang Jun to brief him on Hong Kong's overall economic situation, and its direction and priorities in pressing ahead for high-quality development in the new era and in a new stage.

Both sides also exchanged views on issues such as strengthening taxation co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as mutual participation in global tax management.

Accompanied by Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, Mr Chan then met Minister of Science & Technology Wang Zhigang to exchange views on issues such as fostering scientific collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong, expediting Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre and better leveraging the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's co-ordinated development in research and development (R&D) and innovation.

The officials also discussed how to better promote Hong Kong's integration into the national I&T development swiftly.

During the meeting, Mr Chan noted that Hong Kong will utilise its strength in financial areas and its unique advantages and functions under “one country, two systems” to support R&D of I&T as well as actively explore a new mindset in formulating policies to facilitate the cross-boundary flow of I&T elements, so that Hong Kong can contribute to the country's high-quality development, high-level self-reliance and greater strength in science and technology.

The finance chief also highlighted that as a leading global hub for green finance in Asia, Hong Kong has a strong base for green technology research and its application, adding that with the bay area's R&D advantages, the two elements can be combined to interact positively to build a new and comprehensive industry chain, which can help develop Hong Kong into a leading international green technology and green financial centre.

Mr Chan then met China Securities Regulatory Commission Chairman Yi Huiman to discuss enhancing financial co-ordination and co-operation, the promotion of Hong Kong's contribution to the country's development as an international financial centre, and the optimisation of mutual market access schemes between the financial markets of the two places.

He thanked the commission for its consistent and strong support on the enhancement and development of Hong Kong's financial market.

During the meeting, Mr Chan also introduced Hong Kong's latest policies and development on green technologies and green finance as well as Web3.0.

In the afternoon, Mr Chan and Prof Sun visited the Ministry of Industry & Information Technology and met its Vice Minister Zhang Yunming to exchange views on issues including digital economy, new industrialisation, development of the information industry and Web3.0.

Mr Chan pointed out that Hong Kong is actively encouraging industries to upgrade and transform so as to improve the quality and quantity of their products, and is also dedicated to pooling top-notch corporations and talent, so that it can take full advantage of "one country, two systems", serve the country's needs and contribute to its high-quality development.

The finance chief also toured the Research Center on Xi Jinping's Economic Thought to understand its research priorities and direction, in the hope of promoting in Hong Kong the deliverables of the centre’s research and enhancing understanding of President Xi's economic thought, so as to better promote the high quality development of the city's economy and contribute to the national development.

---

PREVIOUSNEXT