Chen Wenjun:
Next, I'll give the floor to Mr. John Lee Ka-Chiu.
John Lee Ka-Chiu:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good afternoon. The Hong Kong SAR government highly welcomes the plan released on Sept. 6 by the central government for comprehensively deepening the reform and opening up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone. The plan focuses on promoting higher-level opening up, facilitating the innovation of the modern service industry, and speeding up the building of a modern service industry in Qianhai that connects to Hong Kong and meets international standards. The Hong Kong SAR government firmly believes that we will be able to make good use of the advantages of the "one country, two systems" policy to promote the development of the modern service industry in Qianhai. At the same time, Hong Kong will give greater play to its advantages as an international center for finance, shipping and trade as well as a global aviation hub to provide more space for Hong Kong's professional services to develop.
With the support of the central government, the governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Shenzhen have been working to improve Qianhai's development and provide convenience for Hong Kong's professional services to develop in Qianhai. In recent years, law and architecture-related opening up policy measures have been introduced in Qianhai, which are widely welcomed by Hong Kong. So far, about 11,500 Hong Kong companies have registered in Qianhai, covering not only the just-mentioned professional services but also such modern services as finance, logistics, information, and science and technology.
In addition, Qianhai keeps attracting Hong Kong's young innovators and entrepreneurs to join the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub. The hub has incubated a lot of successful companies, becoming one of the many fruitful examples of Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation.
Released by the central government, the Qianhai plan has taken Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation onto a new level, allowing the two cities to better play their role of leading development as two core cities of the GBA. Hong Kong's business community and professional service providers have been actively making preparations to embrace the new opportunities brought about by the plan to Hong Kong people and companies. The government of the Hong Kong SAR will continue to strengthen cooperation with the governments of Guangdong province and Shenzhen city to promote the development of Qianhai and create broader development space. Thank you.
Chen Wenjun:
Thank you, Mr. John Lee Ka-Chiu. Next, I'll give the floor to Mr. Cheong Weng Chon.
Cheong Weng Chon:
Thank you, Mr. Chen. The release of the general plan for building a Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin was an important move to implement President Xi Jinping's instructions. It is also a major action to support Macao in developing a moderately diversified economy and enrich the practices of the "one country, two systems" policy. The plan will inject new impetus, provide new space, and create new opportunities for Macao's long-term development. The Macao SAR government highly welcomes the introduction of the general plan, and would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the central government for its strong support.
The general plan contains new institutional designs and comes with greater reform efforts, broader opening up access, as well as high quality policies. According to the general plan, the in-depth cooperation zone will become a new platform for promoting a moderately diversified economy in Macao, a new space for Macao residents to work and live in, a new demonstrative practice of "one country, two systems", and a new pacesetter for the development of the GBA.
The government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), headed by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, will join hands with our citizens in seizing the historic opportunity to fully implement the general plan. Next, we will work on the following aspects:
First, we will fully study the plan and follow the policy orientation in building the cooperation zone to lay a foundation for the follow-up actions. Second, we will raise public awareness. We will work actively to introduce the plan to Macao residents so that they can have a better understanding of the importance of building the cooperation zone. Third, we will work closely with Guangdong province to leverage our respective advantages to build synergy for win-win cooperation. Fourth, we will ensure the good implementation of the plan. Efforts will be made to develop a list of duties and specify the duties for different departments so that all tasks will be fully completed. This will help us secure a better future for the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Chen Wenjun:
The floor is now open for questions. Please identify your news outlet before asking your questions.
