Chief Executive John Lee met local Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises before concluding his Sichuan visit today and attended a working lunch.
 
In the morning, while meeting and exchanging views with Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises, Mr Lee learnt more about their work, studies and daily life.
 
Noting that economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Sichuan and Hong Kong are frequent, Mr Lee said that Hong Kong people and enterprises in Sichuan have witnessed and helped to establish ties between the two places, contributing to the economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people bonds between Sichuan and Hong Kong.
 

He expressed his hope that they will continue to support the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in Sichuan and deepen co-operation and exchanges in various areas between the two places.
 
Mr Lee then attended a working lunch hosted by Chengdu Mayor Wang Fengchao where he thanked Sichuan Province and Chengdu for their thoughtful arrangements for the visit, and for their continuous support to the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Chengdu (CDETO).
 
In the afternoon, the Chief Executive visited the CDETO to understand the work of its staff. He encouraged them to continue to act as a bridge to enable exchanges and co-operation between the two places to reach new heights.
 
Later, accompanied by CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee Standing Committee Member and Sichuan Vice Governor Pubu Dunzhu, Mr Lee visited the Chengdu People's Park to learn more about the unique local lifestyle and food culture.
 
As he concluded his visit, Mr Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the central government for gifting another pair of giant pandas to the Hong Kong SAR, which fully demonstrates the central government's care and support for the city.
 
He also pointed out that the visit has produced three achievements: the pair of giant pandas to be gifted to Hong Kong have been selected; Ocean Park and the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda are working at full steam to draft a co-operation agreement on the details to expedite the approval and implementation of the process; and the establishment of communication channels between Ocean Park, the National Forestry & Grassland Administration, and the China Conservation & Research Centre for the Giant Panda to collaborate with and assist one another in facilitating the smooth transfer of the giant pandas to Hong Kong.
 
Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong tonight.