Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Hong Kong will deepen ties with Macau as he met with city leader Ho Iat-seng on Thursday and stressed tourism is an important sector for both regions.
This is Lee’s first official visit to Macau since the full border reopening as he traveled there through the HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, accompanied by deputy chief secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing; secretary for culture, sports and tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, and other officials.
Lee said the transportation between the SARs is frequent and convenient as he pointed out that the ride from Central to Macau took less than an hour, and the border crossing procedures went very well.
Lee added he discussed with Ho about cooperating in many aspects, like boosting the tourism of the two cities and stepping up the use of the HK-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge.
“Hong Kong will take up a more active role in the development of the Greater Bay Area as the borders are now fully reopened.
“Under the strategic planning of the GBA, Hong Kong will deepen its ties with GBA cities, including Macau, and together forge the GBA tourism brand for regional and international markets,” Lee wrote on Facebook.
The two SARs will also mull staging large-scale events and exhibitions to display the unique artistic and cultural features of the GBA, Lee said.
“As Hong Kong scrapped the mask mandate from yesterday [Tue], I believe the city’s social atmosphere and economy will revive very soon and become active again, providing full support to people travelling and trading between Hong Kong and Macau.”
Lee also said he has been achieving his goal of visiting ten GBA cities apart from Hong Kong and recalled his visit to Guangdong and Shenzhen last month.
“Being special administrative regions of the country, both Hong Kong and Macau will leverage their unique advantages under ‘one country, two systems’ and further strengthen the cooperation between the two places,” Lee added.
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/200964/John-Lee-meets-with-Ho-Iat-seng,-says-Hong-Kong-will-deepen-ties-with-Macau-and-GBA-cities
Category: Hong Kong
