Hong Kong leader John Lee strikes 5 cooperation deals with Guangdong after first joint talks in 2 years, vows integration into national development
- Agreements cover innovation and technology, finance, labour, smart cities, and regulation of pharmaceutical and medical devices
- John Lee also says he will lead second meeting of a steering group on national development integration
Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday struck five cooperation deals following the city’s first joint conference with Guangdong in two years, as he pledged to press ahead with integration into mainland China’s development plan.
The five agreements, signed by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Guangdong provincial governor Wang Weizhong, covered innovation and technology, finance, labour, smart cities, and regulation of pharmaceutical and medical devices.
Lee said it was the first Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference since he took office and the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party.
“Hong Kong and Guangdong have signed five cooperation agreements … following the meeting, delivering fruitful results and marking both sides’ determination and confidence in fostering further cooperation and contributing to the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area,” Lee said in a speech at the province’s spring reception held after the conference in the city.
Among those attending the event were Wang, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying, a vice-chairman of the nation’s top political advisory body, and Zheng Yanxiong, director of Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong.
Also there were Yang Wanming, deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and Sun Qingye, deputy director of Beijing’s national security office in the city.