​The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, accompanying the Chief Executive on his visit to Beijing, called on the Minister of Finance, Mr Lan Fo'an, this afternoon (September 19). He thanked the Ministry of Finance for its staunch support to Hong Kong in various areas. They had in-depth exchanges on the economic and financial situations of the Mainland, Hong Kong and the world, the development of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, the mutual access between the capital markets of the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as strengthening the co-operation of audit supervision on Mainland enterprises listed in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, and the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Ms Salina Yan, also participated in the meeting.

     Upon arriving in Beijing, Mr Chan visited the research and development headquarters of a Mainland new energy vehicle enterprise and met its representatives. The company, listed in Hong Kong and supported by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, is positively considering to conduct some key scientific research projects, establish a financial management centre and a trade settlement centre in Hong Kong, as well as to launch research co-operation with Hong Kong universities and research institutions. Mr Chan said that Hong Kong has competitive advantages in artificial intelligence, new energy and new materials, along with international capital and a pool of research and development talent. He encouraged the company to leverage Hong Kong's advantages of being a dual hub of an international financial centre and an innovation and technology centre to launch research and development, expand into the global market and grow its business. 

     Mr Chan will continue his visit to Beijing tomorrow (September 20) and accompany the Chief Executive to attend the 27th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium and Beijing-Hong Kong Cooperation Promotion Conference. 

Ends/Thursday, September 19, 2024
Issued at HKT 19:52

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