The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, started his visit programme in Beijing today (April 9) as he paid courtesy calls on the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.
 
     In the morning, Mr Wong met with the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Mr Yi Jun, to exchange views on the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, the Belt and Road Initiative and matters relating to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). They also discussed the preparation of this year's Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Forum.
 
     In the afternoon, Mr Wong met with the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Huang Liuquan. He thanked the Office for its support in fostering mutual recognition of professional qualifications under the CEPA framework. They also exchanged views on various issues including opportunities brought about by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as Hong Kong's engagement in the Mainland's foreign aid construction projects.
 
     Those accompanying Mr Wong on the visit included the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung, and the Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Francis Chau.
 
     Mr Wong will visit the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Water Resources tomorrow. He will return to Hong Kong at night.

Ends/Monday, April 9, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:40

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