Chief Executive Carrie Lam met financial officials in Beijing today.
She spoke with People's Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan, China Banking Regulatory Commission Chairman Guo Shuqing, China Securities Regulatory Commission Vice Chairman Jiang Yang, and China Insurance Regulatory Commission Vice Chairman Chen Wenhui.
She said her administration will strive to strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre and seize the opportunities of the Belt & Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.
She thanked the Central Government for its staunch support for Hong Kong's development in the financial industry.
Mrs Lam then met Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan.
Noting the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement has been pivotal to Hong Kong's economic development, Mrs Lam thanked the Ministry of Commerce for signing two new agreements under the arrangement's framework in June.
Mrs Lam also met National Development & Reform Commission Chairman He Lifeng to discuss Hong Kong’s role in the Belt & Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area.
On the Belt & Road Initiative, both sides agreed to discuss the signing of a co-operation agreement, which will identify major areas of co-operation to fully leverage Hong Kong's competitive edge.
On the bay area development, Mrs Lam said she looks forward to maintaining close contact with the National Development & Reform Commission to discuss issues relating to the bay area's development plan to ensure Hong Kong's unique role and functions under the 13th Five-Year Plan are fully utilised.
