Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed his pleasure at seeing a record high 380 Hong Kong enterprises attending the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, noting that such an increase demonstrates the city's support for the event.
The six-day CIIE has started on Wednesday. After attending the opening ceremony, Lee accompanied Premier Li Qiang in touring the Hong Kong exhibition area at the China Pavilion.
The area -- themed "A Brilliant New Chapter of Connectivity between the Mainland and the World" -- showcases Hong Kong's dual advantages of having both national and international opportunities under the one country, two systems principle.
It emphasizes the city's leadership across various sectors globally as well as its dynamic development momentum and improving livelihoods.
Lee then visited the Hong Kong Food Pavilion and the Hong Kong Service Pavilion set up by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah and HKTDC chairman Frederick Ma Si-hang.
This year, a total of 54 Hong Kong enterprises are exhibiting in these two areas, with over 40 percent participating for the first time.
Lee said CIIE served as a successful platform not only for introducing local products to the mainland but also for connecting foreign merchants. He engaged with a few Hong Kong exhibitors, expressing confidence for their achievements to showcase local brand advantages and competitiveness.
The Invest Hong Kong also promotes the city's competitive advantages at the Hong Kong Service Pavilion, while the Tourism Board's exhibition area introduces the latest tourism features of the city.
Lee then attended a dinner with Hong Kong residents and representatives from the city's enterprises in Shanghai, encouraging them to continue serving as an essential bridge and to tell the good stories of Hong Kong.
The city leader will meet with leaders of Shanghai on Thursday and attend the "Hong Kong - The Ideal Platform for Mainland Enterprises in Going Global Promotion Conference" organized by the SAR government and the HKTDC.
