CS continues visit to UK (with photos)
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She started the day by attending Asia House’s roundtable breakfast focusing on Hong Kong’s unique role under “One Country, Two Systems” and the Belt and Road initiative. Mrs Lam also took the opportunity to thank the Chairman of the Asia House, Sir John Boyd KCMG, for inviting her to contribute an article to Asia House's recent publication, "Asia 2025", highlighting Hong Kong's role as a hyper-connected city. Asia House is an organisation that brings together senior decision makers and business leaders for high-level discussions to foster economic and political engagement between Europe and Asia.
Mrs Lam was then briefed by the Director of Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Ms Clare Pillman, and Senior Manager of Stakeholder Relations and Public Affairs of the UK Sport, Mr Duncan Jenner, on the UK’s sport development strategy. Following the briefing, Mrs Lam met with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Ms Karen Bradley, to forge closer collaboration between Hong Kong and the UK on sports and cultural development. Mrs Lam also provided Ms Bradley with an update of the latest development of the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Kai Tak Sports Park.
After that, she called on the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United Kingdom, Mr Liu Xiaoming, to thank him for the provision of consular assistance to Hong Kong people in need. Mrs Lam met with Mr Liu during her previous official visit to the UK in her capacity as Secretary for Development in 2010 and the latter's visit to Hong Kong in 2011.
Mrs Lam then joined Sir Henry Keswick and Lord Wilson of Tillyorn at a luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Association, and spoke on Hong Kong’s strengths and opportunities, as well as renewed efforts of this term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood. The mission of the Hong Kong Association is to act as a focus in the UK for the cherishing and promotion of the long-standing and special links between the HKSAR and the UK, in particular with regard to business and bilateral trade. It currently has some 110 member companies.
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In the afternoon, Mrs Lam met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Philip Hammond, and exchanged views with him on various issues of mutual interest including the Belt and Road initiative and financial technology (i.e. Fintech) development. She thanked Mr Hammond for his support in strengthening Hong Kong-UK ties in his former capacity as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom and expressed the hope that more opportunities could be pursued on the trade and investment front as Britain embarks on a more ambitious international development strategy.
Mrs Lam also met with professionals from the infrastructure sector in the UK at a reception organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and provided them with up-to-date information on Hong Kong’s infrastructure developments.
This was preceded by her meeting with the ICE’s Vice President, Professor Lord Robert Mair, during which she signed a roll as an Honorary Fellow of ICE. Mrs Lam was bestowed this prestigious title in 2013 in recognition of her contribution to the development of the land, property and construction industries in Hong Kong in her previous capacity as the Secretary for Development.
In the evening at the “Hong Kong Dinner in London” event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), she addressed over 450 UK business representatives on the importance of the Hong Kong-UK partnership.
She said that as two of the world’s leading financial centres, Hong Kong and London have much to collaborate on, particularly in capitalising on the internationalisation of the Renminbi.
She talked about Hong Kong’s efforts in diversifying the economy in order to stay competitive and highlighted the progress made in innovation and technology as well as creative industries.
She gave an update on the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District and extended to UK exhibitors, galleries, performers and artists an invitation to Hong Kong to enrich the cultural scene and explore room for collaboration.
“Hong Kong is as rich in promise and opportunity now as it has ever been,” Mrs Lam said.
Tomorrow morning (September 27, London time), Mrs Lam will depart for Frankfurt to begin her two-day official visit in Germany to attend promotional activities organised by the HKTDC.
Ends/Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Issued at HKT 6:16
Issued at HKT 6:16
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