The Secretary for Development, Mr Eric Ma, today (February 20) paid courtesy calls on the Mainland government ministries which have policy areas that relate to work of the Development Bureau.

     In the morning, Mr Ma called on the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Mr Yi Jun, to exchange views on the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, and the Belt and Road Initiative. They also discussed on the preparation of the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2017 Hong Kong and the 2018 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Industry Forum.
 
     Mr Ma then visited the China Academy of Building Research (CABR) and met with the Deputy President of the Academy, Mr Wang Qingqin, to exchange views on building information modelling technology, energy saving and environment enhancement measures as well as professional construction technology.
 
     CABR, founded in 1953, is a comprehensive research and development institute in building industry in China under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. It also formulates and manages technical standards and codes of major construction works. Mr Ma also visited energy saving buildings and the China Building Material Test and Certification Center.
 
     Accompanying Mr Ma on the visit were the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Mr Michael Wong, and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung.
 
     Mr Ma will visit the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Water Resources and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council tomorrow.
 
     He will return to Hong Kong tomorrow evening.

Ends/Monday, February 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 22:43

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