Hong Kong, Singapore leaders explore collaboration under Belt and Road Initiative

Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-04 00:33:18|Editor: ying
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SINGAPORE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday explored collaboration opportunities between the two sides under the Belt and Road Initiative at their meeting here.

They also discussed deepening Singapore-Hong Kong and ASEAN-Hong Kong cooperation in various areas, including trade and investment, finance and civil aviation, according to a statement from Singaporean government.

The two leaders reaffirmed the close relations between Singapore and Hong Kong and noted that Hong Kong and Singapore share many similarities and same challenges.

The leaders agreed that despite competition in some areas, the two places have potential to cooperate in many fields, saying they were looking forward to the signing and early implementation of the free trade agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Lam, who arrived in Singapore on Wednesday for a two-day visit, also met with Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who expressed confidence that Hong Kong will continue to prosper with its increasing integration into the Chinese mainland, especially with the establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

China is planning to develop a city cluster in the Greater Bay Area comprising Hong Kong, Macao and nine cities in Guangdong Province, to play to the distinctive strengths of Hong Kong and Macao and elevate their positions and roles in the mainland's development and opening up drive.

On Thursday morning, Lam visited Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Civil Service College and the GovTech Hive.

Lam disclosed that she will push to build a civil service academy in Hong Kong, similar to Singapore's Civil Service College, to provide training and experience for Hong Kong residents in civil service.

This has been Lam's first official visit outside HKSAR since she assumed the post of Hong Kong's chief executive on July 1. She will also visit Thailand.

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