The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, visited Guangzhou and Foshan today (July 30).
      
     To start the first-day programme of his visit to cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, Mr Chan this morning visited an aerial vehicles technology and service company in Guangzhou and was briefed about its business operation, from research, manufacturing, sales and marketing to providing services. He also encouraged the company to leverage on Hong Kong’s strengths in expanding its business.
      
     He then met with the Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Li Chunsheng, and attended a lunch hosted by him.
      
     At the meeting, Mr Chan said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government attaches great importance to the development of the Bay Area.
      
     Noting that the commissioning of the cross-boundary infrastructure projects, such as the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, will make links between Guangzhou and Hong Kong even more convenient, he said he believes this would not only help foster closer co-operation between two places in forging ahead, but also enhance Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country and boost the economic development of the various cities in the Bay Area.
      
     Afterwards, Mr Chan paid a visit to an enterprise specialising in intelligent speech and language technologies, before going to Foshan to call at the Robotation Academy Foshan. Focusing on developing solutions and applications of robotics and advanced manufacturing, the Robotation Academy Foshan is the first of its kind in China.
      
     Mr Chan also visited the HKUST LED-FPD Technology R&D Center at Foshan. Co-initiated by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Nanhai District Government of Foshan City, the Center focuses on technology development for LED (light-emitting diode) and FPD (flat panel display) as well as providing technical services and training to relevant enterprises.
      
     During his meeting with the Mayor of the Foshan Municipal Government, Mr Zhu Wei, Mr Chan expressed hope that both cities can explore more collaboration in innovation and technology to seize the opportunities brought about by the development of the Bay Area.
      
     Tomorrow (July 31), Mr Chan will continue his visit in Jiangmen.

Ends/Monday, July 30, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:38

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