Chief Executive John Lee today met CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee Secretary Zhao Yide at Government House to discuss ways of deepening Hong Kong’s co-operation with the province.

Welcoming Mr Zhao to Hong Kong with his delegation, Mr Lee said Shaanxi occupies an important position in areas such as historical and cultural heritage, tourism resources, higher education, and technological development, all of which are in play as Hong Kong looks to consolidate its “eight centres”, as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

The Chief Executive said he believes that Shaanxi and Hong Kong can strengthen exchanges and co-operation to achieve mutual complementarity and mutual benefits.

Mr Lee added that people-to-people exchanges between the two places are common, noting that the Shaanxi Provincial Government has long provided valuable internship opportunities for Hong Kong youths at cultural and heritage institutions in Shaanxi.

This April, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Education Bureau organised a Yan'an revolutionary history study tour for teachers for the first time. Mr Lee said he believes that more Hong Kong teachers and students will visit Shaanxi for educational and exchange purposes.

In addition, he highlighted that in March this year Xi'an become one of the Mainland cities whose residents are eligible for Hong Kong’s Individual Visit Scheme.

He invited more tourists from Xi’an to visit Hong Kong and experience the city’s unique charms, thereby promoting cultural integration and people-to-people bonds between the two places.

Also attending the meeting were Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai and Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip.