The Hunan Liaison Unit (HNLU) of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan (WHETO) and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) in Hunan jointly held the "2019 Forum between the Hunan Provincial Government and Representatives of Hong Kong Enterprises" on February 26 in Changsha, providing an opportunity for Hong Kong enterprises in Hunan and government departments to communicate directly and discuss issues relating to the business environment in Hunan, as well as to find new development opportunities. The Director of WHETO, Mr Vincent Fung; the Vice Governor of Hunan Province, Mr He Baoxiang; the Director of the HKMAO in Hunan, Mr Xu Zhengxian, and around 20 representatives from various provincial/municipal departments including the Development and Reform Commission of Hunan Province, the China Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department, the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, the Hunan Local Taxation Bureau, the Administration for Market Regulation of Hunan Province, the Changsha Customs and the HKMAO of Changsha Municipal People's Government attended the Forum.
 
     This marked the third consecutive year that the Forum had been held. This year, 20 representatives from major Hong Kong-funded enterprises and chambers of commerce attended the Forum and exchanged views on the above issues with officials from various government departments.
 
     The same evening, the HNLU, the HKMAO in Hunan and the Changsha Municipal People's Government jointly held the "Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up cum Hunan-Hong Kong Spring Reception", which was attended by some 300 Hong Kong people working, living and studying in Hunan, as well as other guests.
 
     Today (February 28) in Wuhan, the WHETO, the Representative Office in Wuhan of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China – Wuhan (HKCCC-WH) jointly held the "Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up cum Spring Reception for Hong Kong Residents in Hubei Province 2019". Around 200 guests including Mr Fung; the Deputy Director General of the HKMAO in Hubei, Mr Zhang Lianghua; the Deputy Director General of the HKMAO in Wuhan, Mr Yu Feng; the President of the HKCCC-WH, Mr Tse Chun-ming; the Central China Director of the HKTDC, Mr Zhou Yilei, and Hong Kong people doing business, working and studying in Hubei attended the event.
 
     Speaking at the event, Mr Fung, said that the year 2018/19 had special meaning as it marked the 40th anniversary China's reform and opening up; also the Central Government introduced various facilitation measures for Hong Kong people, such as eligible Hong Kong people residing in the Mainland can now apply for a Home Residence Permit; and it is also a fruitful year for infrastructural development in Hong Kong, such as the opening of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Looking forward, he said that there is further good news for Hong Kong such as the gradual development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the 2019-20 Budget initiatives which will benefit the public. The WHETO will continue to participate in and organise various activities to deepen exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Hubei, he added.
 
     During the receptions in Changsha and Wuhan, Mr Fung, spoke with representatives of the respective provincial and municipal governments of Hunan and Hubei. He also talked with Hong Kong people who live, study and operate businesses in Hunan and Hubei to learn more about their experiences there and the latest developments in these provinces.

Ends/Thursday, February 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 23:10

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