HK team gains 'three results and three understandings'

Government officials and lawmakers achieved "three results" and gained "three understandings" in the four-day Greater Bay Area tour, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said, as his 88-strong delegation returned to Hong Kong yesterday.

Lee, five government officials and 83 legislators visited four GBA cities - Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan and Guangzhou - from Friday and it was "only the beginning as more visits to the region will be arranged."

Lee added the "three results" were legislators and officials achieving unity, showed Hong Kong's attitude to integrating into GBA, and reaching consensus with GBA cities to develop unity.

The tour reflected Hong Kong's proactive attitude in integrating into GBA, he added.

"Hong Kong and the GBA cities, especially the four cities we visited, also established a consensus to work jointly to promote the development of the GBA to a higher level, to achieve twice the result with half the effort," Lee said.

He also Hong Kong needs to "catch up with time, results and prospects" and develop into a "frontier city that stands out in the world." And Hong Kong should continue to promote patriots administering Hong Kong, Lee said.

Lee said the executive-legislative delegation had "pleasant communication with each other" during the trip, which was "full of laughter," something that was missing before the electoral system was reformed.

"We should continue to pool strengths and think together on taking the 'patriots administering Hong Kong' to a new level," he said.

Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen said officials and legislators had never been so united and showed GBA cities that Hong Kong was a team.

The delegation - previously split into two groups to make separate stops in Dongguan and Foshan - reunited in Guangzhou and met city officials and Guangdong province leaders.

They were briefed about the operations of the Lijiao Wastewater Treatment Plant that are placed underground with an average depth of 17 meters. They are enclosed to reduce the impact of odor and noise.

Lawmaker Elizabeth Quat Pei-fan said Hong Kong can learn from the technology, model and experience of Guangzhou's "underground plant" to further optimize its sewage treatment and build a green and smart city.

The delegation then had lunch with Guangzhou city leaders, including Communist Party secretary Lin Keqing, mayor Guo Yonghang and Nansha district governor Wu Yang.

It is understood that Lin said in his speech that Guangzhou would promote the construction of the GBA and support Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country while maintaining its prosperity and stability.

He also hoped Hong Kong would deepen its cooperation and exchange with Guangzhou by giving full play to its advantages in trade, finance and talents.

The delegation arrived at Zhudao Guest House for a one-hour meeting with Guangdong party secretary Huang Kunming, before taking the high-speed rail to Hong Kong.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com