The Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Ronald Chan, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Zhejiang Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government cum HKSAR 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, today (June 5). The event signified the commencement of the full operation of the Zhejiang Liaison Unit and marked the beginning of a series of events in Hangzhou in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

     During his visit to Hangzhou, Mr Chan also met with the Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial Government, Ms Liang Liming, and exchanged views with her on stepping up exchanges and co-operation between the two places.

     Speaking at the gala dinner, Mr Chan said that the objectives of the HKSAR Government in setting up the Liaison Unit in Zhejiang Province were to further strengthen exchanges and co-operation between Zhejiang Province and Hong Kong, and provide services which would better suit the needs of Hong Kong residents and enterprises in the area.

     Mr Chan said that Zhejiang Province has rich historical and cultural heritage, and its economic development is within the top tier in the Mainland. Hong Kong has been maintaining close economic and trade relations with Zhejiang Province. It has ranked first among all countries and regions investing in Zhejiang Province in terms of the number of projects and the amount of investment.

     Mr Chan added that leveraging its unique advantages, Hong Kong could take part in the development of the country's Belt and Road Initiative and the "attracting foreign investment" and "going global" policy in Zhejiang Province, further enhancing Hong Kong's strength as the "super-connector".

     Mr Chan remarked that this year is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. The Zhejiang Liaison Unit will organise a number of celebration activities in Zhejiang Province including the performance of the Hong Kong Ballet in the latter half of the month and a large-scale exhibition in October.

     Other officiating guests present at the Opening Ceremony of the Zhejiang Liaison Unit cum HKSAR 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner today included Ms Liang; the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, Mr Jin Yonghui; the Vice Mayor of the Hangzhou Municipal Government, Mr Chen Xinhua; the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai, Ms Victoria Tang; and the Director of the Zhejiang Liaison Unit, Ms Priscilla Liu.

     The Zhejiang Liaison Unit has been set up under the purview of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai. Its temporary office is located at Room 743, 7/F, Tower A, China Resources Building, 1366 Qianjiang Road, Jianggan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Hong Kong people living in Zhejiang can contact the Zhejiang Liaison Unit by phone at (86 571) 2809 3787 or by email at zjlu@sheto.gov.hk for assistance and enquiries.

Ends/Monday, June 5, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:30

NNNN